Is ESA Support Group Means Tested or Not

Hello,

First time that I have used this forum but hoping for some advice.
I developed rheumatoid arthritis ( and other health issues) almost 3 years and after working for over 30 years as a nurse finally had to give up work. I have no occupational pension. I was on ESA (CB) for 1 year, then placed on ESA(IR) for 15 weeks before being placed in the Support Group.
My question is this: is the Support Group means tested or not? A friend of mine who works for the DWP and Disability Rights say that it not. I was visited by a Local Compliance Officer a couple of months ago - something had flagged up on an old ISA that I had ( I was saving for my god daughters 18th birthday and withdrew the money before I claimed any ESA) so that was not an issue. But the Officer said that my ESA Support Group was made up from a 'mixture' of both Contribution Based and Income Related and wants to see all my bank statements from when I first started claiming ESA at the very beginning.
She has not been bullying in any way but she has been a bit incompetent, making quite a few mistakes. Whilst she was out my house, she had to make three phone calls to ask some questions. She then wrote to me saying that she wanted bank statements from when i first claimed and when I questioned WHY she wanted bank statements from first claiming when I was on ESA CB, she said she had made a mistake and that it was only from the time that I was on ESA (IR) to the present date. I had savings just over £6000 and she said that I had to make overpayments and has started to deduct money without even a letter to say so. But if its NOT means tested, then she shouldn't have done that, should she? When I told her about my friend at the DWP saying that the Support Group is NOT a 'mixture' of CB and IR - its just the Support Group and asked for clarification, she couldn't give any.
My worry is this: I own another property - my beloved deceased mothers small house. When I first claimed ESA, I told the DWP about the house and they said that because I was on Contribution Based, it was not taken into account. I have rented it out on and off since mum died but I have also had long periods when it has been empty. ( it is worth about £70, 000) I recently had a new tenant come in and get £315 a month which goes towards paying my own mortgage and bills. Emotionally, I'm just not ready to sell it yet and to be honest, I always planned on it being part of my pension as I don't have one..... I never planned on being unable to work
If this Compliance Officer is insistent that my Support is a mixture of both CB and IR, then I've been told by the CAB that I could be prosecuted for having mums house. You can imagine the stress this has caused me and I've been ill for a month with a really bad flare up of the rheumatoid arthritis.
I am more than happy to comply and send my bank statements as I have not knowingly done anything wrong but I don't trust this compliance officer. If what she says is true, then what will she make me do...sell half my mothers house?!!
My friend from the DWP has said that I should never have been placed in the IR group for those 15 weeks and should have gone straight into the Support Group. I wrote to the DWP Benefits Office where my awards come from to clarify what type of Support Group I am in ( CB or IR) but after three weeks, have yet to get an answer. Do they actually ever reply to letters?
It does not state on my Support Group Award what type it is - CB or IR - it just says 'you are in the Support Group'.
So is the Support Group not means tested whether it is CB or IR?
I really am at my wits end and my GP has started me on anti-depressants. Like I say, I am happy to send all my bank statements - even though she has never told me WHY she wants them - but I just don't trust that she knows what she's doing. If I had something on paper, it might help me to clam down a bit and I'm really hoping that you can help...please.
I hope I haven't been too confusing with all this but any advice you can give would be so gratefully received.
many thanks

Hi

As you already know when assessed for ESA and given wrag status then your given it if your national insurance stamp payments are up to date contribution rate for one year after which you can be transferred to income related ESA if you have less than £16,000 savings or you have a non working partner or your single.

With Support Group however if you remain in this group your receive contribution rate until such time your claim is looked at by the DWP