Savings over 6,000

Stacystar

Hello, I got a letter from the benefits office to tell me my ESA payment will increase in April. In the letter it mentions informing them of any changes in circumstances, my circumstances have not changed but I read it anyway. 
It says if I have over 6,000 in savings let them know. I do have over 6,000 around 7500. I thought it was allowed as long as it is not 16,000.
I have done some googling and think I might be in trouble..
I will call them first thing Monday morning what will they do, I will pay back any money I owe no problem I honestly thought ESA was non means tested same as pip.

noman

Contributions based ESA is not means tested so savings do not affect it. However, if any part of your ESA is Income Related then for every £250 or part there of over £6,000 there’s £1 deduction. Savings of more than £16,000 and entitlement to all means tested benefits ends.

Stacystar

Thank you noman,
 I was awarded contribution based ESA, looking into it am I right in thinking after 1 year I am no longer on contribution based ESA? So I will need to pay back every thing over 6,000 since I switched over? 
So every £250 I pay back £1 per week?
I have anxiety and genuinely did not realise I have done something wrong, 

Kimmy87

Which group are you in? Only ESA CB WRAG is time limited to 1 year. 
So if your ESA is wholly CB in the Support Group then you have nothing to worry about. 

Stacystar

Thank you Kimmy, I have got my paperwork out. I worked all my life so not sure how it works.
2021 I got ESA contribution based. I got put in the support group.
On my last letter it says I am still in the support group! No idea how as I thought it only lasted 1 year

Kimmy87

ESA letters are quite difficult to understand!

If you are wholly on CB ESA then it is not affected by savings limits. 

The 1 year time limit for CB ESA only applies to those in the Work Related Activity Group.