Change in amount

Lyndrix
Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi there, last year I was awarded back payment because of being in the wrong category of ESA, I understand that it is disregarded for a year but I am worried about abiut the housing benefit I get because my weekly payment is higher and I still have some of the money left. Any advise to ease my mind it's starting to affect my sleep too.
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Comments

  • michfinch
    michfinch Community member Posts: 173 Empowering
    How did you get a back payment - Tribunal? I’ve submitted my Dr’s letter, my Psychologist, my Specialist all advising I am unable to work and submit a monthly Fit Note yet the DWP put me in the Work Related Activity Group and I’ve had to appeal payments. Am I an unusual case or do many other Epileptics submit the same info and get placed in the Work Activity Group? Tx
  • clarkjohnson
    clarkjohnson Community member Posts: 210 Empowering
    Hello michfinch how many more things do they need you have my sympathy 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Lyndrix said:
    Hi there, last year I was awarded back payment because of being in the wrong category of ESA, I understand that it is disregarded for a year but I am worried about abiut the housing benefit I get because my weekly payment is higher and I still have some of the money left. Any advise to ease my mind it's starting to affect my sleep too.
    Hi,

    Savings of £6,000 and over affect means tested benefits and any back dated money you received is disregarded for 1 year for all means tested benefits. If after this time your savings are more than this amount you need to report the changes.

    Savings of £16,000 and over and all means tested benefits stop.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    michfinch said:
    How did you get a back payment - Tribunal? I’ve submitted my Dr’s letter, my Psychologist, my Specialist all advising I am unable to work and submit a monthly Fit Note yet the DWP put me in the Work Related Activity Group and I’ve had to appeal payments. Am I an unusual case or do many other Epileptics submit the same info and get placed in the Work Activity Group? Tx
    Hi,

    A fit note from your GP isn't proof of how your conditions affect you and is not classed as evidence. To be placed into the support group you need to look at the criteria to see which, if any apply to you. For ESA, it's not about a diagnosis, but how your conditions affect your ability to do any type of work. See descriptors for support group here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

    Reg 35 here.


  • clarkjohnson
    clarkjohnson Community member Posts: 210 Empowering
    So that's a doctor , psychologist , specialist the lady as seen who else do you suggest she sees 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    I don't make the rules, sorry. I just posted some links to try to help!
  • clarkjohnson
    clarkjohnson Community member Posts: 210 Empowering
    Good on yer sir everyone needs a little help in life 
  • Lyndrix
    Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
    Hi poppy 123456
    I put £5,500 in an ISA for 2yrs is this counted in to the £6000? Also my weekly payments are more because they changed me to IR ESA, that's how I got the back pay being in the wrong group for 5yrs! So will I still qualify for housing and council tax benefit?
    ThanQ
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Yes all savings are counted but the backdated money is disregarded for 1 year so it doesn't count at the moment.
  • Lyndrix
    Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
    Ok thanQ, but what about the increase in my weekly money will it affect housing benefit etc?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    You mean contributions based ESA with the income related top up? No, it won't affect it in a bad way because you don't have any income. You're receiving a means tested benefit, which isn't income.
  • Lyndrix
    Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
    Yes sorry, I was on contribution rate and in the suoosup group, then when they were doing whatever last year they sent me a letter to say I was in the wrong group and should've been income related all along hence me getting back money.  Who knew getting some money would be so stressful!  
    Thanks again from all you help, it is very much appreciated.
  • Lyndrix
    Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
    *support
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    No problem, i agree it's stressful. Enjoy the money it's disregarded for 1 year.
  • Lyndrix
    Lyndrix Community member Posts: 15 Listener
    Hi again Poppy, sorry to be asking again but what happens after the 1year is up? Do they want to know what you did with the money? InI assuming you have to show what's left cos obviously it has a bareing on your housing benefits.
    Thanks again with your help x
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    What you do with that money in that year is entirely up to you. If you have anything left after that and it's more than £6,000 then you need to report those changes.
  • easy
    easy Scope Member Posts: 680 Empowering
    I think the back pay for this is disregarded indefinitely. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    The award letter should state this if it is.
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,195 Championing
    easy said:
    I think the back pay for this is disregarded indefinitely. 
    Sorry but I do not think this is correct. How can you distinquish these savings/capital from any other ?
  • easy
    easy Scope Member Posts: 680 Empowering
    I have no idea but I think I read it on B&W and I have never Known them to be wrong.

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