Hi, my name is Debbie66! letter from esa benefits

Debbie66

hi

i filled in my assessment form sent on 25th of May. I have received a letter dated 21st of May saying they have looked at my claim again due to changes and have been given £90 a week. how can this be when I haven't had an assessment and I have no idea what the change means

any advise is welcome as I am so confused

poppy123456

Is this a new ESA claim? If so then ESA assessment rate is £90.50/week (aged 25+) New style ESA is affected by pensions of more than £85/week. For every £1/week over this amount your ESA reduces by 50p/week. Are you by any chance receiving any pension?

Debbie66

aww thank you for replying, it is a new claim as my ssp stopped from work. no pension. just so confusing

poppy123456

You're welcome. It's £90.50/week for the first 13 weeks. If placed into the Support Group payments increase from the 14th week of your claim to £138.20/week. If a decision takes longer than this then you'll be owed some money, if you're placed into this group. Payments will then continue for as long as you remain in that group.

If not placed into the Support Group then payments will stop after 1 year, (unless found fit for work before that and then they will stop, even it it's before the 1 year is up)

Debbie66

thank you so much Poppy