I/B to Esa

Have migrated from long term I/B to ESA wrag group. Just been told i lose vulnerable status since change so now have to pay 20% towards council tax and probably a bigger percentage towards rent. I already have to pay nrly £50 a month top up for rent due to changed local housing allowances and cant afford any more towards c.tax. have they got it right? I have no other income.

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

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I am afraid that we cannot provide a definitive answer to your query.

Each Council/Local Authority (LA) operate their own individual policies with regards to Council Tax Support and Local Housing Allowance.

You need to visit your LA's website where there should be information regarding the above policies, or phone, write to/e-mail the LA and ask them to provide copy of their policies.

You could also contact The CAB or the like in your local area, where they should have local knowledge of the LA's policies.

Where to get advice

As it seems that you have been transferred from IB to ESA in The WRAG, if you are being paid CB ESA only in The WRAG, which is highly possible, see :

What will I be transferred to?

&

What will I be paid?

From our : IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s

You are only entitled to 365 days payment of Contribution Based (CB) ESA (if not in the Support Group (SG) ) before payment ceases, see :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

From our : ESA FAQ’s

If you are being paid CB ESA only, you should be informed roughly 8 weeks before payments are due to cease, and you should be invited to a financial assessment using an ESA 3 Form.

However, you cannot rely on the DWP issuing the ESA 3 Form, and you may have to request it.

See : Asset rule for ESA(IR)

&

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

If you feel that you should have been placed into The SG, rather than The WRAG, you could request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) of the decision within one month of the date of the WRAG Decision Notice Letter, see :

Qualifying for the Support Group

Mandatory Reconsiderations Explained

&

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsiderations.

There is also an MR/Appeals Guide on this page : ESA Claims Guides

As you are now in The WRAG the information from the links below will be pertinent to you :

Work Focused Interviews

Work Programme

&

Changes to ESA Sanctions

I hope you find the above information helpful, and please reply to this topic if you have any further queries.

bro58