Change Contribution ESA to Income Related ESA

All

Thanks for all your previous help - it has been most useful.

Having come to the end of my year on Contribution Based ESA which runs out Mid May I now find myself having to apply for income based ESA.

I have no savings or other income aside from the permitted work that I am doing which has been approved by my work provider and the DWP.

My first query is that contrary to what my work provider told me previously, that my permitted work earnings are now classed as income although previously they were not counted against contribution based ESA.

Also I have applied for a ESA3 form to be sent to myself - when I received the first communication from the DWP about my changeover - they told me to send the form in a fortnight before the change - however with the backlog I am aware exists at Belfast I have decided to do this a month before in order to try and get it set.

Has anyone got any experience of filling these forms out and what it entails - it is commonly called means testing but this is the first time ive been through the process (having previously been on IB) and aside from my permitted work I have no other savings or income.

I did try and search the forums on this so if anyone can point to relevant threads of give advice that would be appreciated.

Thanks for help in advance and in the past.

Hi P,

I think you are sensible to get your ESA3 returned earlier than DWP advised! We cannot give specific advice as we don't know the details or your finances (nor would be wish to!), the only thing I can recommend is to take your time to work through the form having youir bank statements etc to hand. If you live with a partner you must include details of their income/assets too, if you liver alone that is one thing less to deal with!

I believe that your work provider is mistaken in telling you that the wage from your permitted work will be counted as income. Don't forget that these people know little, if anything, about the benefits sytem!

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

Hi.

I agree with above in that the advisor is incorrect. Permitted work monies should not affect income related ESA.

Thanks for the above

However it was the DWP who told me that permitted work income would affect my income related ESA - ill have to check this with them.

Also has anyone experience of the process regarding the transfer - how long it will take and any other information regarding the process would be helpful.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Thanks Gordon

On the ESA3 form, it doesnt seem to say that I am required to send statements in - merely account for how much are in my total accounts (which I found quite strange in truth).

So they will write back once the form is received to request statements. Is that the case?

Thanks again.