Wrong esa

kathy72steph

I've been on esa since 2016 and they say in on contribution  base when I know I was on income before May this year.

calcotti

Your ESA from 2016 is a claim for both contribution based and income based. The contribution based entitlement will always take priority if you you were eligible and if in the Support Group that will continue indefinitely. Where the ESA payment is a mix of both DWP will label the award as income based but it remains both.

If your financial situation has changed this could result in the reduction of the income based top up to nil and you would be left with contribution based ESA only.

If you receive £117.60/week then you are almost certainly currently receiving contribution based ESA only. If you receive more than this then some of it is income based. 

If your finances have changed and are not entitled to contribution based ESA then you would likely be receiving less than £117.60/week.

kathy72steph

Hi nothing as changed only i started getting direct payment from my local government to pay for a carer. The Dwp says I was always getting contributions based but in my letter from them they say
Because of changes you are
Not getting any more income-related employment  and support allowance 
And dropped my money down to 117.60 a week. 

poppy123456

Direct payments do not affect the amount of Income Related benefits you're entitled to.

How much ESA were you receiving before the letter?

kathy72steph

I've had £70 stopped and£17.00stopped from my benefits.  They said its because I'm getting Direct payment.  But before I'm sure I was on contribution/income esa
Because now that I'm only on contribution I can get the 650 from the government help.

poppy123456

You need to ring ESA because direct payments do not affect your entitlement to any means tested benefits. Do you have any other income, such as pensions? savings/capital over £6,000? live with a working partner?

poppy123456

Will getting a direct payment affect any benefits we're receiving?

Direct payments given to you as a carer or to someone receiving care to purchase services to meet your needs are not counted as ‘income’ for any benefits you receive, and so would not affect any of your benefits.

However, if the person you are looking after pays you or anyone else with their direct payments, then this would count as ‘earnings’ and might affect any benefits you, or anyone else being paid, receives.

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/getting-care-and-support/direct-payments

kathy72steph

I dont work or have a partner.  I have a live in carer paid by direct payment. Esa confirmed last November that we are not a couple and he is a carer and his wages are nothing to do with me. But I lost £62.45 severely disabled and £15.90 disability income guarantee. 

poppy123456

The Enhanced disability premium which is now £17.75/week should not have stopped. 

The SDP stopping is correct because you’re now living with another adult, who is your carer so you’re not entitled to the SDP. 

You will need to contact ESA about the Enhanced disability premium.

kathy72steph

Thank you for your information but the E.D.Premium should they stop that out off my pip not my esa

poppy123456

kathy72steph said:

Thank you for your information but the E.D.Premium should they stop that out off my pip not my esa

No, because Enhanced disability premium is part of ESA and nothing to do with any PIP claim. Based on the information you've given here the EDP should not have stopped from your ESA at all. The SDP stopping is correct.