Backdated occupational pension arrears and income related esa

Ripley43

Hello, I really need some help.

I was due to claim my occupational pension at 60years old but I deferred it after being told it was not classed as notional income. I'm now looking to claim this pension but they've said that for each year I've deferred (which is currently 4years) i will be paid these arrears as a taxable one off payment alongside my 1st monthly payment and my tax free lumpsum. My fear is that because I've been claiming income related esa in the meanwhile that this backdated payment is going to be applied as income as if I was receiving the pension payment all along whilst being on esa so I shouldn't have been entitled to those payments. Will this be the case or will it be just classed as capital?

I had no clue that by deferring I would receive a backdated lump sum!!