Hi, my name is Miner! Should I get ESA support group after being awarded PIP?

Miner

Hi thanks for having me?  I have a question I’d like to ask the community if I may.  I get ESA at the standard rate of £74.70 per week, I recently got awarded PIP for my disability, should I automatically get ESA support on top of my basic ESA?  I was given a phone interview back in March and the outcome was they wanted a face to face not sure how, when all suspended due to Covid.  If I should qualify for this ESA support payment top up money now, can someone please inform me how to go about it, thanks in advance Miner.

Miner

Hi thanks for having me?  I have a question I’d like to ask the community if I may.  I get ESA at the standard rate of £74.70 per week, I recently got awarded PIP for my disability, should I automatically get ESA support on top of my basic ESA?  I was given a phone interview back in March and the outcome was they wanted a face to face not sure how, when all suspended due to Covid.  If I should qualify for this ESA support payment top up money now, can someone please inform me how to go about it, thanks in advance Miner.

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Getting pip doesn't automatically entitle you to the esa support group that depends on the outcome of your assessment 

F2f are taking place now for those who have been unable to have a decision based on phone assessment 

You may be entitled to sdp payment if you live alone or with someone who also gets a disability benefit and if nobody claims carers allowance for you 

If this is the case then call esa to claim

MarkM88

They are two separate benefits so no PIP does not automatically qualify you I’m afraid. 

Miner

Janer1967, thank you for the reply?

Miner

MarkN88, thanks for the reply..

Fraser

They did a telephone interview with me 4 weeks after my application for ESA last year & on that basis put me in the support group. I’ve since moved onto the equivalent for veterans. Does the PIP assessment offer you any supporting evidence? It could br worth contacting ESA to suggest that. Believe it or not they do not communicate with each other, you have to do all of the chasing. 

Miner

Thanks for replying.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @miner and welcome to the community, how are you? 

I hope the response from Jane has been able to resolve your query. As mentioned, PIP won't impact your ESA outcome as they are two separate benefits. I hope your face to face goes well, is it far off or not been arranged yet?

Miner

Hi, it’s not been arranged yet, I can’t see me attending any face to face.  As Scotland cases are on the increase and being COPD positive I’m at a higher risk of contracting COVID.  I’m pretty much shielding and will be continuing to do so.