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ESA overpayment
Molly33
Member Posts: 5 Listener
Hello, this is my first post.
I am very worried at the moment about a situation with my daughter's ESA.
I am her appointee as she is an Autistic adult, and she has been on ESA for a couple of years. I recently learned of the 6,000 savings limit.
She didn't have much saved when I claimed ESA for her but because she doesn't go out and also gets PIP she has accumulated 12,000 in the bank.
I wrote to inform ESA this week, as soon as I realised, and have been terrified all week of going to jail or court.
My daughter struggles to understand and as her appointee it is entirely my fault.
We would just like her ESA stopped until we know how much to pay back.
Should i go to citizens advice or just ring the ESA? I am worried the letter I wrote will take ages to be acted on.
Thank you.
I am very worried at the moment about a situation with my daughter's ESA.
I am her appointee as she is an Autistic adult, and she has been on ESA for a couple of years. I recently learned of the 6,000 savings limit.
She didn't have much saved when I claimed ESA for her but because she doesn't go out and also gets PIP she has accumulated 12,000 in the bank.
I wrote to inform ESA this week, as soon as I realised, and have been terrified all week of going to jail or court.
My daughter struggles to understand and as her appointee it is entirely my fault.
We would just like her ESA stopped until we know how much to pay back.
Should i go to citizens advice or just ring the ESA? I am worried the letter I wrote will take ages to be acted on.
Thank you.
Replies
Hopefully it will get sorted out soon.
On the GOV.uk website it mentions:
You will not qualify for income-related ESA if you have savings over £16,000.
‘New style’ and contribution-based ESA do not take into account any savings you have.
But you can confirm this with your local CAB, please keep us updated.
There will probably be an overpayment we need to pay back also.
I am happy that she won't be accumulating more savings while it is being sorted out.
To anyone in this situation I would say don't overthink it, like I did, and just ring and chat to an advisor.
Thanks for everyone's advice.
On income based ESA once you go over 6000 in savings your should declare it so your ESA can be reduced. If you have 16000 your ESA stops. I can monitor this now I am aware of it.
It would help if this was clearly stated on letters though.