Can I claim new style ESA?

Options
ken58
ken58 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
I have been told i cannot claim contribution esa due to the fact i claim carers allowance.i am in a universal credit area but not recieving any payments due to a works pension.
I have fit notes from my GP saying i not fit for work at present. I would like to know if i can claim new style esa even though i have a works pension of £800 per month and no savings. Thanks for reading

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Hi,

    You can't claim New Style Contributions based ESA and carers allowance because of the overlapping benefit rule.

    May i ask, is the reason you're claiming carers allowance because you look after a partner that you live with? If so what benefit does your partner claim?
  • ken58
    ken58 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    It's just new style esa I want to claim. It is my mother I care for not at my address. I stay at hers a few nights as she has a fear of having a fall during the night and it gives her a bit of reassurance which helps her get a good sleep she is on dla and 86yrs of age.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You can't claim New style contributions based ESA because you claim carers allowance. As you live in a full Universal credit area you maybe able to claim this with your fit note but your pension will be counted as income when claiming means tested benefits.
  • ken58
    ken58 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Cheers for the advice the benefit system is so complicated
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    No problem. It is indeed. I'd advise a visit to your local CAB for a full benefits check but as i said your pension is counted as income for any means tested benefits you can claim but it doesn't mean you won't be entitled to them.