Claiming ESA and being on DLA

Linda wrote: Thank you. What is the difference between ESA contribution based and income based? Does it make a difference to how many savings you have, how they pay you, how long you have to wait, what is the difference between the two? Why would one be better then the other or worse?

There is only ESA, however, it comes in two flavours which can also be mixed.

The assessment process is exactly the same for both and awards are not affected by the type of ESA you receive.

Your only choice is whether you claim Income Related ESA or not, the DWP will always assess a claimant for eligibility for Contribution Based ESA first and then Income Related if requested.

There are pros and cons to both, ESA(CB) is paid to the individual and is not concerned with income or savings although pension income can be deducted, ESA(IR) is claimed as a household and takes income, assets and savings and the hours that a partner into account, it may pay more and passports claimants to other benefits such as Housing Benefit and free prescriptions, although these may still be claimable with ESA(CB) through other routes.

If you are unsure of which to apply for then you should either use one of the online benefit calculators, for example Turn2Us.org or get face to face advice from a benefit advisor.

Gordon