Hi, my name is roby72s! Just moved house, DWP say my SDP will be removed, any advice?

roby72s

Hello to everyone. I am currently receiving ESA contribution based(I am in the support group) which consist of the basic rate plus the severe disability element and in total I get about £241 pw. I live within the borough of Camden in London and I have just moved to a different flat on the same road 5 minutes away from where I lived before. I also receive PIP and HB. I contacted the DWP to let them know that to change the address and the lady on the phone said to me that, since you are changing address your payments will be reduced. The severe disability elements will be removed and when I asked her why she said, it is because your are moving house(I will be renting a room in a flat, no living room but dining table in the kitchen). I told her that I am moving to a different flat however my circumstances in regards of my health have not changed at all. Then she said it will depend on the assessor, whoever deals with my claim. But I do not understand how a change of address can influence the ESA payment if my health has not improved at all. The person I contacted about my PIP said changing address will continue my award for PIP. Thanks in advance for reading, Robi

Rosie_Scope

Hi @roby72s, welcome to the community. I'm afraid I'm not too sure what's going on here, but I'll put your post into our benefits category where members can find it and share their thoughts. We've got some very knowledgeable members so I'm sure someone will have been through something similar and can offer you some advice.

Have you thought about giving them another ring to see if a different person might be able to clarify things for you?

Hope things get clearer for you soon!

roby72s

Thanks Rosie for your message. I will wait for now, it is very stressful to wait on hold an hour to get to talk to someone. I will wait the letter from DWP and see what to do. I think the lady who spoke to me was wrong, I mean as I said in my earlier post my address has changed not my health. The lady I spoke regarding my PIP said you will still get your PIP so I do not understand why it would be different for ESA. Again thanks very much for your reply. Have a good weekend.

poppy123456

For the avoidance of doubt your ESA is not all contributions based, it will be at least part Income Related because it includes the SDP.
If you are still living alone or treated as living alone then there will still be entitlement to SDP. Your health conditions are irrelevant.

roby72s

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/870268#Comment_870268

Hello and thanks for your comment. I am renting a room in a flat with 2 more people I have never met before. I share the kitchen and the bathroom. Is considered living alone?

poppy123456

If you each have your own separate tenancy agreement then you will still be treated as living alone.

roby72s

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/870308#Comment_870308

Yes I have, and thanks a lot for your reply. Have a great weekend.

poppy123456

You’re welcome. Thank you and you too.

roby72s

Hello good morning everybody. I have recently changed address but in the same local authority, Camden, London to be precise. I am staying on ESA support group for the time being and I was also receiving the disability premium due to my disability. However because of the change of address my disability premium has been removed. I was told by the DWP that this is due to the support I may be receiving. The person I rent the room from does not give me any support. I merely rent a room and share a kitchen and bathroom. I did not know this person before. I was told that I can appeal the decision. Any recommendation? Thanks in advance. Robi xxx