Esa support group

Can someone clarify something for me. If you are put in esa support group does that mean its income related and not contribution based?

wispafish wrote: Can someone clarify something for me. If you are put in esa support group does that mean its income related and not contribution based?

Hi wf,

Which group of ESA you are placed into, (WRAG or SG) and whether you are entitled to payment of CB ESA or IR ESA in either group, are totally unrelated issues.

Which "group" you are placed into is totally dependent on whether you fulfill the WRAG or SG descriptors when being assessed.

Whether you are entitled to CB ESA, IR ESA or both CB ESA and IR ESA, are totally dependent on your NI Contribution history, and personal/financial circumstances.

For people being migrated over to ESA from IB, IS or SDA, which is also related to the above, see :

What will I be transferred to?

bro58

I was placed in esa support group back in june but it took them 5 months to make a decision. I have paid enough national insurance as was working for 7 years previously its just the letter they sent mentions income based esa and seems incorrect.

wispafish wrote: I was placed in esa support group back in june but it took them 5 months to make a decision. I have paid enough national insurance as was working for 7 years previously its just the letter they sent mentions income based esa and seems incorrect.

Hi wf,

As you are in The SG, you may be entitled to IR ESA top ups in the form of premiums.

The only qualifying criteria for The Enhanced Disability Premium (EDP), (if you are entitled to IR ESA top ups) is that you are in The SG.

ESA Premiums

To see whether you are entitled to IR ESA top ups, (on top of your CB ESA) you would have to be financially assessed.

This is generally done by filling in an ESA3 form, which should be available on request from your local benefits office.

You would have to fulfill the IR ESA means test, with respect to household income, capital, assets and savings.

See also : Asset rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Even though SG entry entitles you to The EDP, it will not be paid unless you are also entitled to IR ESA, in that you pass the means test, as above.

bro58

Thats not what im saying. As i was put into support group esa, is the first year contribution based. The letter says im on income related but as ive paid enough national insurance surely i should be on contribution based.

wispafish wrote: Thats not what im saying. As i was put into support group esa, is the first year contribution based. The letter says im on income related but as ive paid enough national insurance surely i should be on contribution based.

Hi wf,

If you are entitled to, and paid CB ESA in The SG, it is not only for 365 days. (365 days entitlement to payment of CB ESA is only applicable if not in The SG)

See : 12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

So, CB ESA will remain in payment for as long as you remain in The SG.

Further, it does not count against your 365 days entitlement to CB ESA.

Therefore, if you were moved out of The SG at some future reassessment, you would still have your full 365 days entitlement to CB ESA.

What I am saying is, that you can be paid CB ESA, as you have the necessary NI Contributions, and be paid IR ESA, on top of this.

As it would be impossible for us to have access to your personal details on an open forum, you would have to address any queries that you have regarding your payment of IR ESA to the DWP, or gain face to face advice :

Where to get advice?

bro58