re: Completion of Contribution Based ESA Form ESA3QR (IBR)

mobythevillan

Just received the above form which has to be completed and returned to DWP by 1 Jan 2019 with details going back to 11 Feb 2014. In addition to the form there is a reply slip asking if I or my partner had or have savings over £16,000. My Wife has savings of over £16,000 and we intend completing the form with this information. What are the implications of doing this, as my Wife claims no benefits and has never been asked about her personal financial details in this connection before? Many thanks....

steve51

Hi @mobythevillan

Good Afternoon & Welcome ???

I have just found some info for you below:

https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.scope.org.uk%2Fdiscussion%2F52224%2Fesa3-ibr-savings-proof-what-happens-afterwards&index_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.scope.org.uk%2Fdiscussion%2F52224%2Fesa3-ibr-savings-proof-what-happens-afterwards&auth=NXYDUOg8LsPpfh8L1n72XQ&profile=_default&rank=3&query=Esa3

Please please have a good look ? & please let me know if I can help you further???

mobythevillan

Hello Steve51, thanks for the quick response but as it happens I had already found that post; it's a bit convoluted to be honest. We have always assumed  that my Wife's financial situation has no bearing on any claim I made regarding ESA. That said, it would appear bank statements ARE required by DWP for both her and myself judging by some of the postings here, not that the form appears to ask specifically for them. I suppose the real question I should be asking is "what are the implications if I sign the declaration that I and my partner had  savings over £16,000 for the period 11 Feb 2014 to now"? Many thanks....

poppy123456

There won't be any implications because you're claiming Contributions based ESA and this isn't means tested. This means you can have as much savings as you want and it doesn't affect the amount of ESA you can claim.

If you've had savings of more than £16,000 for all that time then tick the box that you've got savings of more than this amount, sign the form and return it. No bank statements are needed and you won't be assessed for any Income Related top up. Your ESA CB will continue as normal.

They're sending these forms to everyone that transferred from IB to ESA, regardless of their circumstances.

Pippa_Alumni

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

I hope the above guidance is helpful. Please do keep us updated and if you have any further questions, feel free to come back to us.

mobythevillan

Many thanks Poppy123456, you've put our minds at rest! We would never intentionally try to deceive anyone anyway....the form's been signed and will be returned ASAP. Merry Xmas and a happy 2019....Simon and Jackie

mobythevillan

Pippa_Scope said:

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

I hope the above guidance is helpful. Please do keep us updated and if you have any further questions, feel free to come back to us.

I certainly will Pippa, TVM. Hopefully this info could also help folks in the same predicament. Very grateful to all concerned. A merry Christmas and happy 2019! Simon and Jackie....