DWP Letter

MobileGames

Hello Scope. I received this letter through the post from the DWP today. I can't understand it properly. I was wondering if somebody could tell me what it means please? I'll ring them on Monday as well. 

Albus_Scope

Hiya @MobileGames, basically it means congratulations!  They've awarded you the severe disability premium and have back dated it.  So you'll receive more money each week for your ESA, plus a nice lump sum in your bank account in the next 5 days.

The part about an 'official error arrears' is only needed when it comes to calculating your capital (savings) later by the DWP, so keep hold of the letter just in case. 

chiarieds

Hi @MobileGames - this sounds like very good news indeed.

You have been entitled to some extra money called the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) due to having been awarded PIP. The DWP made a mistake in not realising you should have been getting this SDP for the past 2 years.

They will pay you the money they owe you in the next few banking days. As the DWP made this mistake, then it will not usually be thought of as capital, & it's important to keep your letter for the future.

From the 29th Sept 2023 you will get this extra amount (the SDP) which will now be included with your ESA.

You need to let Housing Benefit know about your SDP award & the money that the DWP have paid you, which they called ''official error arrears.''

Rosie_Scope

Hi @MobileGames, unless you think it's a mistake, @Albus_Scope has captured it! 

In case that middle bit of the letter is confusing, when they say that the money is 'disregarded as capital' it should mean that this won't be seen as savings or assets so won't affect how much you are entitled to in your claim.

For example, there is usually a limit to how much money you can have saved and still claim certain benefits and if you have more than this limit saved in your account then you usually have to report it. They will then reduce the amount they're paying you in your normal regular payment to account for your savings.

From this letter, it seems you are likely exempt from that as it was their mistake, even if the amount takes you over that limit. From what I understand, the lump sum isn't taken into account as being an asset, you don't need to report it, and you will still receive your new regular payment amount as normal.

But keep hold of the letter and give them a ring to check just in case!

MobileGames

Thank you everybody for clearing that up for me. My sister read it and couldn't understand it either,so thank you. 

Albus_Scope

No problem @MobileGames, we have experts at deciphering their special language.  

 Congrats again and make sure you treat yourself to something nice! 

MobileGames

I also received this letter through the post today as well. What does this mean please? I'm confused because I've needed to fill in a form and send in evidence before,then I had to ring up and ask for a home visit last time. I was then moved from the WRAG group to the support group after they rung me as well as a face to face assessment at home back in 2015.

chiarieds

It would be best if you removed the image of this letter as it shows your personal info. You can edit this in the next 50 mins, so you could then show it with your name covered up.

You'll need to ring ESA to find out what this is about; it does say they'll visit you, but it might just be a phone appontment.

MobileGames

Thank you for looking out for me. Unfortunately I've logged in too late and I can't edit it. I'm going to ring up on Monday and ask what it's about,and ask if I can have an earlier or later appointment because of having my lunch. 

chiarieds

Hopefully a member of the Scope online team will cover up your name for you tomorrow

Adrian_Scope

Hello @MobileGames. I've edited the image for you to remove your personal information. Please let us know how you get on with calling them on Monday. 

MobileGames

Thank you. I appreciate that. 

Rosie_Scope

How did you get on today @MobileGames, any luck getting through to clear things up?

MobileGames

@Rosie_Scope. I rung the DWP up yesterday and they said that I'm in receipt of extra ESA,have been for a few years,and to inform housing benefit of the extra money that I'll be getting with my ESA from now on. I went to the council and they photocopied a few things and said that they'll write to me. The home visit was because they said that they couldn't get hold of me so I said that I rang them on the 28th of September. They said that the letter you got came before they could update things and now that I'd been in touch that I don't need a home visit. Thank you for your help. 

MobileGames

A bit of a silly question,but how do I sign out please? 

bg844

@MobileGames If you click on the yellow picture (your profile picture) at the top of the page, the sign out option will appear.

MobileGames

Thank you. What a nana I am,lol!