New style ESA and paying into work pension
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gemini4378
Community member Posts: 1 Listener
Hello, I would like to claim new style ESA, I work 15 hours a week due to disability and my take home pay is £165 which meets the criteria
But on the website it says I can earn up to £167/week after NI and TAX but no mention of any other outgoings like pensions or student loans. So if it's just after NI and TAX then I can't apply as I pay into a work pension and if they include my payments into my work pension as take home pay then I earn too much.
Does anyone know if they consider pension contributions/salary sacrifice as take home pay? Even if it's not?
Thank you
But on the website it says I can earn up to £167/week after NI and TAX but no mention of any other outgoings like pensions or student loans. So if it's just after NI and TAX then I can't apply as I pay into a work pension and if they include my payments into my work pension as take home pay then I earn too much.
Does anyone know if they consider pension contributions/salary sacrifice as take home pay? Even if it's not?
Thank you
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Hi @gemini4378! Sorry nobody has responded to you, as I have found out myself there does not seem to be an amazingly clear answer on this!
EDIT: Please read Poppy's post below this one for something that is an actual answer.
I tried to find myself an answer and I honestly struggled. My assumption is that pension contributions are usually pre-tax. However, the DWP specifically says "earned income" not "take-home pay". Honestly I think it's a question you may have to ask the DWP directly or citizens advice may have a better idea. I'm afraid I'm not a benefits expert as much as I'd love to have found the answer for you!
Here is information on the different ways you can contact Citizen's Advice. Contact us - Citizens Advice
They/Them, however they are no wrong pronouns with me so whatever you feel most comfortable with
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Opinions are my own, such as mashed potato being bad. -
They will take into consideration half of any payments into a pension, so for example, if you pay £10/week into a pension then £5 of that will be added onto your weekly earnings amount.Salary sacrifice and student loan repayments are not an allowable deduction. Therefore if your weekly earnings are more than £167/week when all of those are added back on then you won't be able to claim New style ESA.Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit? https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator If it shows entitlement and you're currently claiming a disability benefit such as PIP/DLA or ADP then you'll be able to report your health condition, supported by a fit note to start the work capability assessment process off.If you're not claiming a disability benefit then earnings of more than 16 x NMW/week will mean you won't be able to be referred for the work capability assessment.
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. -
I always appreciate you bringing your knowledge to these threads poppy, I'm still getting to grips with a lot of the intricacies of the benefits system.
You'd think they wouldn't make it so opaque.They/Them, however they are no wrong pronouns with me so whatever you feel most comfortable with
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Opinions are my own, such as mashed potato being bad. -
Jimm_Scope said:I always appreciate you bringing your knowledge to these threads poppy, I'm still getting to grips with a lot of the intricacies of the benefits system.
You'd think they wouldn't make it so opaque.
Thanks Jimm, yes it's a minefield!
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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