Disability premiums while claiming ESA + PIP

sam2992

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to get any Disability premiums while claiming ESA (support group) and PIP (standard daily living) while living with a parent. I have tried to do some research but I'm struggling to find a accurate answer. I'm not a tenent and don't pay rent to the landlord. Also my mum doesn't receive any benefits and is not blind.

Thanks for any advice

poppy123456

Which ESA are you claiming? The old contributions based, Income Related or New style ESA? 

If it’s Income Related then you will not be entitled to the Severe Disability Premium because you live with your mum. Your ESA should already Include the Enhanced Disability Premium because you’re in the Support Group. 

If it’s the old contributions based whether there’s any entitlement to the Income Related top up (Enhanced Disability Premium) will depend on your circumstances.

If it’s New style ESA then there’s no disability premiums payable with this. 

sam2992

poppy123456 said:

Which ESA are you claiming? The old contributions based, Income Related or New style ESA? 

If it’s Income Related then you will not be entitled to the Severe Disability Premium because you live with your mum. Your ESA should already Include the Enhanced Disability Premium because you’re in the Support Group. 

If it’s the old contributions based whether there’s any entitlement to the Income Related top up (Enhanced Disability Premium) will depend on your circumstances.

If it’s New style ESA then there’s no disability premiums payable with this. 

Thanks for that information @poppy123456 I currently get old style ESA. I did try to work out what exactly I get for ESA but it doesn't make much sense to myself. I receive £144.50 a week for my ESA it didn't work out when I added my things up to anything I found online.

poppy123456

Assuming you’re single? That includes the Income Related top up however, it’s a little short in the weekly amount. Are there any deductions for anything at all?

Contributions based ESA Support Group is £129.50/week Enhanced Disability Premium (single person) £19.55/week. Total Income Related amount is £149.05/week. This means you’re £4.55/week short. 

Do you have a recent letter with the calculations on it? If you don’t then you’ll need to ring ESA to ask if there’s any deductions each week and they will tell you. 

sam2992

Sorry I just seen about not tagging you. I was in the middle of doing something when I responded and didn't read that part 

poppy123456

No problem at all. Please do contact ESA to ask if there’s any deductions for something. 

sam2992

I just looked at my ESA payments again I actually get £140.10 a week. It was hard for me to work out due to getting a budget loan. I will probably give them a call tomorrow and see whats what. Just worry about them making me apply for UC or it causing a problem somehow. Does this amount not seem correct?

poppy123456

sam2992 said:

I just looked at my ESA payments again I actually get £140.10 a week. It was hard for me to work out due to getting a budget loan.

Then that's highly likely why you're receiving a reduced amount because you're repaying that loan and your weekly payments are reduced until it's paid back. Once it's paid back then your ESA will increase to £149.05/week.

Ringing ESA will not prompt a move to UC.

sam2992

poppy123456 said:

Assuming you’re single? That includes the Income Related top up however, it’s a little short in the weekly amount. Are there any deductions for anything at all?

Contributions based ESA Support Group is £129.50/week Enhanced Disability Premium (single person) £19.55/week. Total Income Related amount is £149.05/week. This means you’re £4.55/week short. 

Do you have a recent letter with the calculations on it? If you don’t then you’ll need to ring ESA to ask if there’s any deductions each week and they will tell you. 

I just seen this reply. Wow I'm not doing good at reading tonight.  Yes I'm single and thanks for telling me what I should be receiving. I don't think I have any letters regarding ESA I have been on it for a long time and don't recall getting any letters that explained any calculations. I will give ESA a call and find out what's going on as it's actually £8.95 short a week and there isn't any deductions that I know off so something not right. Well thanks for your time and help it's much appreciated 

poppy123456

In a previous comment you said this..

sam2992 said:

 It was hard for me to work out due to getting a budget loan.

When did you receive that loan? The lower weekly amount for your ESA could be because you're still paying it back.

sam2992

I feel really silly now. I was working out how much I was paying on my budget loan wrong I was thinking I was paying X amount every 2 weeks as that's when I get paid (every 2 weeks) but it's actually X amount every week so it does infact work out that I get £149.50 odd a week. I'm still going to give a help line a call today and see if I am entitled to any disability premiums and if not I'm going to ask about move to UC as afew calculators are telling me that I would be better off on UC. I just don't want all the hassle so will only move if it's going to be simple and stress free.

poppy123456

Don’t feel that way, it’s easy to get confused. 

I wouldn’t advise you to ring ESA to ask for any advice because they are not benefits advisors. They are call centre staff with very little benefits knowledge. It has been known for them to give very poor and incorrect advice so many times! 

As I advised above your ESA already includes a disability premium known as Enhanced Disability Premium, which is £19.55 per week.

You’re not entitled to the Severe Disability Premium because you live with your mum and she doesn’t claim a disability benefit nor is she registered blind. See link for details of all the disability premiums https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums

The other Disability premium of £39.85 per week isn’t payable when claiming ESA. It’s only payable when claiming Income Related JSA or Income Support. 

You are indeed correct that you will be better off by claiming UC. This is because when your ESA doesn’t include the SDP UC and LCWRA element pays more than ESA Support Group. This is the reason why the Government have delayed those claiming ESA being transferred to UC as part of managed migration until at least 2028 because it will save the millions of pounds. 

How much better off you will be will depend on your age. If you are under 25 then your UC entitlement will be less than it would be if you’re 25 and over. 

Jimm_Scope

As Poppy says, it's easy to get confused with the system being as complex as it is. So try to not feel bad or any negative feelings towards yourself.

Also, Poppy is right that the call centre workers who deal with ESA calls aren't benefits advisors. If you want to speak to an actual benefits advisor I'd highly recommend contacting your local Citizen's Advice.