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lynnp
lynnp Community member Posts: 3 Listener
Hi I hope someone can help me with this, I'm currently receiving ESA, with severe disabilities premium. Im also receiving pip. As I am now over 55 I can claim my private work pension. I could claim a lump sum of £34.000 and £5000 a year. I would just like to know how this would affect these benifits, I also receive housing and council tax benefits. I would be grateful for any advice, thanks lynn

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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi and welcome,

    I'm one of the community champions here on scope and i'm here to help and advise others.

    PIP isn't affected because it's not means tested. At least part of your ESA is Income related because you're receiving the severe disability premium, as you're receiving this then you'll also be claiming the Enhanced disability premium as well. You will need to check if part of your ESA is Contributions based. If it is then £111.65 per week will not be affected , providing your pension is not more than £85 per week. If it's more than this then your ESA will be reduced further by 50p for every £1 over £85.

    The remainder of your money each week £82.65 will be affected and will stop completely and so will your housing benefit and council tax reduction. This is because any savings of more than £16,000 means you're no longer entitled to any means tested benefits.

    If you decide not to take the lump sum then your ESA Income related will be reduced £1 for £1 by any weekly/monthly pension you receive.

    All changes must be reported. Hope this helps.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • lynnp
    lynnp Community member Posts: 3 Listener
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    Thank you very much that was very helpful, seems it's not really in my interest to take the lump sum. I could take £16.000 instead, would you know how that would affect me. I would appreciate any  more advice you could give me, all the best lynn
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 2020
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    No problem. Anything £6,000 and over will affect your means tested benefits £1 for every £250 over that amount. This means that it will be £4 reduction for every £1,000 over £6,000.

    Your weekly pension will still affect your Income related ESA £1 for £1 and you will also need to report those changes to your local council.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • lynnp
    lynnp Community member Posts: 3 Listener
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    Thank you very much, really appreciated
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
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    You're welcome.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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