ESA

trace66
trace66 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited October 2017 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Please can someone tell me why there are 2 types of ESA. I know other people who get ESA and there is only £4.00 different and they get free dental free prescription's and free glasses how can this be. It is very difficult to live on ESA and have to pay for all the above. 

Comments

  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,761 Championing
    Hi @trace66, there's a lot of useful information about ESA in this resource by Scope. Do take a look and let us know if you have any further questions!
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Online Community Member Posts: 5,195 Championing
    The two types of ESA are contribution based and income related.

    Income related looks at the ammount of income you have and any savings. Because of this it is assumed that you are on a limited income and so you are passported to the benefits of "free" NHS services.

    If you are on contribution based, you can receive an IR top up which will then give you the same benefits and possibly more.

    You can ask for a financial check by filling in an ESA3, which will look at your finances but nothing else. If you then qualify you may receive the top up.

    If you are on a low income you can also apply for an HC2 certificate which will also entitle you to NHS services.

    I hope that helps

    CR 

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