ESA Backdated Claim Query

Hi,

I have a question if you could give me some advice please?

I received a letter/form just before Xmas to see if I was entitled to any back payment as I am on Contribution ESA. The form is to see if I am entitled to any Income related ESA.

The form was sent back in a rush as I received it about 10 days after the date on the letter and it also coincided with Xmas and New Year with all the bank holidays etc. I didn’t have much time to fill it in.

The other day I received a letter asking for all mine and my husband’s bank statements going right back to 2013. When looking at getting the information on my husband’s accounts online I noticed that he has an old ISA with approximately £2500 in it. My husband is 70 and is increasingly forgetful and had forgotten he even had this ISA still so then didn’t mention this ISA to me when I filled out the forms at Xmas time. I didn’t know he had this ISA until I was browsing through to print off his bank statements.

Now I don’t know what to do. I may be entitled to some back pay as for most of these years we didn’t have much in savings but now I am frightened that if I declare the forgotten ISA when sending back proofs of our bank statements, that I will be in all sorts of trouble because obviously I signed the original declaration form before Xmas. I’m now thinking perhaps I should just let it all go and not claim for any backdated pay as I don’t want and can’t cope with any stressful situations due to my health. It was a genuine mistake due to the rush with the time frame and the stress of Xmas etc.

On the other hand I don’t have a lot of money so if I was entitled to a back payment I could certainly do with it.

Any advice on what might happen to me if I carry on with the claim and declare this ISA I would be grateful.

Thanks.

Thanks Gordon for the reply.

Do you think it would be ok to just tell them in a letter at the same time as sending back all the bank statements they already require so it’s all included in one? Or should I speak directly on the telephone? I have a lot of anxiety around talking on the telephone.
Oh yes of course I will definitely tell them if I continue to make a claim for income related backdated ESA, but I was considering just dropping the whole claim instead, rather than be in any sort of trouble by declaring it after originally signing the form. That is what I am worried about that if I declare it and carry on with the claim that I will get fined or prosecuted or something because I didn’t originally include the ISA due to forgetfulness of my husband and me not even knowing he had it.
I understand what you are saying regarding entitlement to back pay depending on whether the ISA takes things over the £16,000 etc.
Thanks for your help.

I agree with Gordon
there is no need to penalize you as you signed the declaration in good faith
and so long as you declare it now - with statements - then that should be fine

and once they take that into account, they can adjust any back payment they owe you

I totally understand your concerns, but i am sure it will be ok

Thank you Gordon. I will do it in writing and send it by tracked post. You have made me feel less worried about it all. Much appreciate it.