I've been told I'm being placed in ESA Support Group. I'm confused about how long my award is for

feet1st

Hi, I’ve today received my letter from DWP stating that I’m being placed into the ESA Support Group. I had a paper assessment. There is something in there that I don’t quite understand!
DWP rang me last week to say I was being placed into the support group for a year, my letter today shows the breakdown of the entitlement:-

ESA based on my NI contributions records
LCWA - £74.70
Extra money SG - £39.40
Total income & benefits = £114.10

at the bottom of the award it says -

The amounts on this page apply from 17th August 2021 to 29th November 2021
I don’t understand this as I was told I was in it for a year? I’m just a bit confused, I’ve not claimed anything before it’s only showing 3 months? 

I know benefits are difficult to understand at the best of times, can anyone tell me I’m I reading it wrong, I will ring next week to request the report as it was based on my evidence that I sent.
thank you in advance for your help ??

vikingqueen

   It is usually because  the Christmas bonus is paid the 1st full week of December, so you will get a whole £10 more for that week.

feet1st

@vikingqueen thank you, I wasn’t sure if it had anything to my NI contributions? I’m assuming it is based on my contributions 2018/2019 I know I took semi retirement in 2020 so wasn’t sure if I was entitled to the contribution bit ??‍♀️ I get myself confused in these sorts of matters, simply because I don’t understand the benefits xx

calcotti

Exactly as vikingqueen says. You will get an extra £10 for one week in early December and it will then revert to £114.10. The reference to one year by whoever you spoke to does not mean your ESA will stop after one year. Your ESA Support Group entitlement will continue until such time as a decision is made that you no longer qualify for the Support Group which can only be after another assessment. What you have been advised is that DWP have a note on your file to review you after a year, it may be longer than this before they get around to it.

feet1st

@calcotti thank you, I’m grateful to you both for answering my query, I think the Christmas bit threw me, fully understand now ??