Hi! Just received my ESA award letter, they are saying I am entitled to £7.10 a week. Why?

son_hawley
son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
Just receive my award letter in relation to ESA.  They are saying I am entitled to £7.10 a week - does anyone know why this is?  Thank you.
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Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    You will need to provide more information about your situation in order to form an opinion. Do you receive any pension income? Pension income over £85/week will reduce the ESA payable. Does the letter include a a calculation showing how they have arrived at it.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited April 2021

  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Hi!  I’m not in receipt of pension.  I’m 39, only just applied and received this letter today.  I have no idea what it means xx 

    thank you everyone xxx 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    No I don't understand that either. As this is a new claim for new style ESA there shouldn't be any reference to income based ESA at all so this makes no sense. I think you are going to have to ring them for clarification.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand.  Are there any other benefits which would affect the amount I get? I’m just thinking I am in receipt of cadets allowance. 
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    They are waiting for medical expedition from
    doctor so could that be why? 
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited April 2021
    Yes I will thanks for reaching out I’ll give them a call tomorrow.  Totally miffed !!! 
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Yes I will thanks for reaching out I’ll give them a call tomorrow.  Totally miffed !!! 
    I hope that goes well. Let us know how you get on.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Thank you for being so kind x 
  • Charlieniblett
    Charlieniblett Community member Posts: 54 Connected
    Quick question @son_hawley, do you claim Carers allowance? It’s just the amount given is the exact difference between esa and Carers allowance. And both won’t be paid at the same time.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Hey! Yes I receive caters allowance for my deaf daughter xxx 
  • Charlieniblett
    Charlieniblett Community member Posts: 54 Connected
    That will be why then, these are what they call overlapping benefits. You can’t receive both, what you’ll find is you’ll get a letter from Carers to say they are stopping your benefit and it will be replaced with esa as that one is the higher paying benefit. My partner went through the same thing last year. Depending on the outcome of your work capability assessment, you will either continue to receive the £74.35 for 12 months, not be entitled to anything or be put in the support group and get £113.00 per week.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    edited April 2021
    Hey! Yes I receive caters allowance for my deaf daughter xxx 
    That is the reason then. Carer’s Allowance and ESA are ‘overlapping benefits’. The CA has been deducted from the maximum ESA amount to arrive at the ESA payable.

    Good spot by Charlien!

    The letter is still complete nonsense. There should be no reference to income based ESA and obviously there should be a reference to the Carer’s Allowance. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    edited April 2021
    woodbine said:
    It's odd but it does say the amount is up to 7th April (tomorrow) as above you need to speak to them.
    That’s because the amounts will change with the new benefit rates.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Oh I see!  Thank you so much!!  I’m in a position where I am waiting to start a very small part time job as admin for 10.5 hours a week in May so I’m hoping I’ll still get ESA.  I probably should have just stuck with carers allowance knowing all this. It’s so confusing isn’t it.    
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    edited April 2021
    Oh I see!  Thank you so much!!  I’m in a position where I am waiting to start a very small part time job as admin for 10.5 hours a week in May so I’m hoping I’ll still get ESA.  I probably should have just stuck with carers allowance knowing all this. It’s so confusing isn’t it.    
    You need to be aware of the following.
    You are not entitled to Carer’s Allowance if you earn more than £128/week.

    For ESA there are permitted work rules described here
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    I will only earn £112 a week 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    I will only earn £112 a week 
    I didn’t think it would be an immediate problem. Just wanted to make sure you are aware of the rules in case you have an opportunity to increase hours etc. Note also that for ESA permitted work you are supposed to notify DWP before starting the work as described on the link I provided.
  • son_hawley
    son_hawley Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Thank you so much that’s so helpful.  I’ve filled in the form to send off tomorrow to let them know I intend to go to work.  It’s all happened at once.  The job fell in my lap and wasn’t planned. It I’m desperate to do something xx 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,445 Championing
    I'm glad you've been able to get some good advice here @son_hawley :) Just to let you know: I've edited your picture slightly to remove a couple of details, just to be on the safe side.