Can I claim ESA back?

RobertHesp

I was on ESA from the end of 2014 just wondered if could claim any money back please help

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @RobertHesp, and a warm welcome to the community!

We don't know a great deal about ESA underpayments yet, however hopefully the DWP will be in contact with anybody affected. You may like to have a look through our recent ESA discussions!

Richard_Scope

Hi @RobertHesp

Welcome to Scope's community! It's great to have you here.  Just to get you started we have a How To Guide here, you can see all the latest posts here, jump in and get involved and don't worry we are a friendly bunch!  
If you need anything, just let us know.

Ami2301

Hi @RobertHesp welcome to the community!

poppy123456

Hi,

The underpayments are for those that transferred from Incapacity benefit to ESA.

If you were one of them being entitled to any backdated money will totally depend on your circumstances, household income, savings, working partner etc. DWP will contact those that transferred from IB.

BenefitsTrainingCo

RobertHesp,

As Poppy says, the exercise the DWP are working on is to pay people back where they missed out on income-related ESA when they were transferred from Incapacity Benefit. If that applies to you then the DWP will be looking at your case, even if you are no longer entitled to benefit. It will depend on all your circumstances as to whether or not you are entitled.

Will

atlas46

Hi @RobertHesp

A warm welcome to our community.

I think it would help if I provide some background on this issue.

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) took action against DWP, for under payments of ESA. They won the case!

As a result the DWP have identified 180,000 claimants that are owed money (average £5,000) at a cost of £970 million.

They have a team of 400 staff working on this,more are being recruited as we speak.

They plan to clear 105,000 in 2018/19 and the remaining 75,000 in 2019/20.

The DWP will contact you in due course, you cannot trigger action, at this stage.

Hope this helps