What is the difference between disability premium levels?

Bowdon

I've looked around at the different levels;

Disability Premium, Severe Disability Premium, and Enhanced Disability Premium.

How is it determined which one I go on?

I used to have Severe Disablement Allowance when on income support. I live with my parents and when I moved to ESA support group and they changed SDA/Premium rules so everyone in the house had to also get a qualifying benefit my parents weren't on benefits.

But about 15 years ago my Mum went on PIP, and 10 years ago Dad went in PIP. So at that point I should have been getting the equivalent of SDA in one of the Disability Premium levels.

So I'm going to give them a call early next week to enquire.

But my question is how do they determine what level I should be getting? I'm on the highest rate with PIP in both sections, and I'm not required to work on ESA.

poppy123456

The disability premium isn't payable when claiming Income Related ESA. It's only payable when claiming Income Support or Income Related JSA.

Enhanced disability Premium is automatically payable when claiming Income Related ESA in the Support Group. In your ESA letters it will be known as Disability Income Guarantee and it's £20.85/week single person.

The Severe disability Premium is paid to those that either live alone or treated as living alone. If you live with other adults, they must all either be registered blind or claiming a qualifying disability benefit theirself, such as PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA.

No one must be claiming either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after you.

Bowdon

Thank you poppy.

It is confusing. But you've explained it well.

Bowdon

@poppy123455

Am I right in thinking that disability premium and enhanced disability premium only look at the individual, as long as your not in a couple? ie only severe disability premium looks to other people in the house?

poppy123456

That’s correct. However, the disability premium is irrelevant to you because you claim ESA.