Hi, my name is tilly666! Do I need to inform ESA of small rises in my private pension?

tilly666
tilly666 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited August 1 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Hi there I’m new to the forum looking for some advice. I receive ESA contribution based and I’m in the support group. I receive a private pension which dwp no about. Each April I get a small rise on my pension . My question is do I need to ring dwp each informing them?

When I rang them today they said I didn’t need to but I’m not sure wether they are correct. I don’t want to end up owing a lot of money if their wrong . Thanks Tilly

Tagged:

Comments

  • tilly666
    tilly666 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,468 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @tilly666, welcome to the community. I'm afraid I'm not an expert on ESA, but from what I understand, you can receive up to £85 a week from a private pension before your ESA payments begin to be adjusted. There's a little bit about this in the 'What you'll get' section of the government's website:

    Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): What you'll get - GOV.UK

    It's probably worth notifying them of any changes to your pension to avoid having to pay back any over-payments in the future. Especially if the changes in your pensions take you above that £85 per week number or if your pension is already above that at present.

    You may like to speak to a benefits advisor to confirm this though. Turn2Us have a search tool to find local benefits advisors in your area if you did want to check:

    Turn2Us - AdviceFinder

  • tilly666
    tilly666 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thankyou so much for that I will inform them again in writing and see where it takes me . Thanks again .

  • KG100
    KG100 Online Community Member Posts: 282 Empowering

    Last year I forgot to tell them about my pension rise and when they found out they sent me a letter saying they could fine me £50. They accepted that I simply forgot though because I've always notified them before.

  • KG100
    KG100 Online Community Member Posts: 282 Empowering

    The best thing to do is write to them rather then phone them, I also send them a copy of my P60. They said they need to see this.

  • tilly666
    tilly666 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Yeah , will send my P60 and letter confirming my rise. Thanks again

  • KG100
    KG100 Online Community Member Posts: 282 Empowering

    A few years a go they sent out a form for people on private pensions to fill in every April.

    They asked us for the pension providers name and phone number and pension number.

    They haven't done this for the last couple of years though, this is why I forgot last year.

  • KG100
    KG100 Online Community Member Posts: 282 Empowering

    They do send the P60 back to you once they check it.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 2,639 Championing

    I have to inform them every April.

    The sent me a nasty letter once when I accidentally overlooked it.

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 372 Pioneering

    I've told, in writing, every year when my pension increases.

    I then write to them after every payment that is wrong, including the calculation as to what I should be receiving. I also telephone them, noting the date/time/name of the operator, to advise them as well.

    They then ignore all of my notifications.

    Then they write to me, in incredibly nasty terms, telling me they have 'become aware' of my pension increase and what my 'correct' payment is going forward.

    I dream of the day I reach state pension age as it means no further contract with the completely incompetent ESA staff.

  • tilly666
    tilly666 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    I m sorry that you have such an awful time . I know how you respond is exactly how feel about it.

Categories