If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Have your say about your online community! Complete our annual survey.
Advice on ESA from 2012

Hi
I had been on Incapacity benefit and DLA for many years whilst my partner worked full time. Following ill health, my partner went to the job centre with a sick note and after a time successfully applied for sickness benefit which at the time was the new ESA. Some weeks later, I was migrated over to ESA in the support group and was receiving PIP at this time. Unbeknown to us, I was added to my partner's ESA claim which meant I was not receiving my Enhanced Disability Premiums. We didn't understand the benefits system and despite highlighting several times that the online benefit calculator was showing we were entitled to more than we were actually receiving, nobody at Citizens advice or the job centre could work out why. This error has only come to light through the Incapacity to ESA migration error investigation and although it was spotted by a job centre member in 2015 and applied correctly, could I be entitled to have the edp backdated for 2012 to 2015? Kind Regards Joyce
I had been on Incapacity benefit and DLA for many years whilst my partner worked full time. Following ill health, my partner went to the job centre with a sick note and after a time successfully applied for sickness benefit which at the time was the new ESA. Some weeks later, I was migrated over to ESA in the support group and was receiving PIP at this time. Unbeknown to us, I was added to my partner's ESA claim which meant I was not receiving my Enhanced Disability Premiums. We didn't understand the benefits system and despite highlighting several times that the online benefit calculator was showing we were entitled to more than we were actually receiving, nobody at Citizens advice or the job centre could work out why. This error has only come to light through the Incapacity to ESA migration error investigation and although it was spotted by a job centre member in 2015 and applied correctly, could I be entitled to have the edp backdated for 2012 to 2015? Kind Regards Joyce
Replies
Just thought I'd update. Citizens advice gave me a number to call my local job centre. I spoke to a helpful lady who is looking into things for me. She's explained to me that whats happened is my partner was receiving ESA with Income element when I was switched from incapacity benefit to ESA, however as only one of us could claim the income element, my contribution based claim was added to my partner's. As a result of this for some reason, I didn't receive the enhanced disability premium. It wasn't added to our joint claim however it would've been added if I was the main claimant with my partner added to my claim. It's all very confusing but at least it's bein looked into. Many thanks
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.