Can I just check that I am understanding ESA corectly. If you are contribution based ESA and if you have a small personal or your husband gets a pension then the only group which is not means tested is the support group? Am I right?

MAny thanks

annken wrote:Whether your ESA is means tested or not depends on the version of ESA you are receiving, not the group you are in. You may be confusing the 365 day limit for ESA(CB) while in the WRAG, where claimants who exceed the limit are being transferred to ESA(IR), when they meet the means test.

You are receiving receiving contribution based ESA, so your ESA is not means tested, however, ESA(CB) does take into account yours, but not your partners pension, if any. There is normally an £85/w disregard followed by £1/w deduction for every £2/w of pension income in excess of the £85.

Gordon

sorry im finding all this a minefield what is ESA(IR)? I was on IB before 1991 and was exempt form means test contribution besed IB. I have just come to the end of 12 Months ESA in LCW group and am wondering in my benefit now stops.
Thankyou

annken wrote:There are two forms of ESA, Contribution Based ESA (CB), which claimants who have accrued sufficient NI Contributions will be placed on, and Income Related (IR) ESA which is awarded to claimants with low incomes.

Incapacity Benefit was also a contribution based benefit so when you were transferred to ESA you were placed on ESA(CB). I assume you were placed in the ESA WRAG, and as a result your ESA(CB) was limited to 365 days, and that you have now exceeded that limit.

Your ESA(CB) will cease on the date you should have been notified of, however, you may be eligible for ESA(IR) subject to you and your partner meeting the requirements of the means test, which looks at both of yours income, assets and any hours that your partner works. See

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

Gordon

Thankyou for taking the time to explain im a plodder getting there.

Double checking the only group not means tested is the support group. or is that now means tested. Sorry
Ann

annken wrote:Neither the Support Group or WRAG are specifically means tested or contribution based, claimants receiving either version of ESA can be placed in either group.

I think you are confusing the fact that the ESA(CB) time limit does not apply to members of the Support Group with this. See the following FAQ for some examples of how it works.

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

Gordon