Extra ESA now I am on PIP higher rate

Hello,
I was told my ESA may increase once PIP had been uploaded to the system. This was last December and I have heard nothing. I am on contributory ESA and not means tested. Did the advisor at DWP make a mistake telling me this or should I call and chase.

Many thanks

Catherine wrote: Hello,
I was told my ESA may increase once PIP had been uploaded to the system. This was last December and I have heard nothing. I am on contributory ESA and not means tested. Did the advisor at DWP make a mistake telling me this or should I call and chase.

Many thanks

Hi C,

I will assume that they were referring to The Severe Disability Premium (SDP) which can be paid to ESA claimants who also have a Daily Living PIP Award or a DLA MR or HR Care Award.

There is conditionality for being paid The SDP on top of your ESA, which can be seen in this FAQ : ESA Premiums

Even if you fulfill that conditionality, which would give you an "entitlement" to The SDP, to receive "payment" of The SDP you would also need to be entitled to Income Related (IR) ESA.

All ESA Premiums are paid as IR ESA.

Therefore, if you cannot pass the IR ESA means-test with respect to capital, assets, savings, household income and any hours worked by a partner if you have one, you cannot receive payment of The SDP.

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

Just because you are in receipt of Contribution Based (CB) ESA at the moment does not mean that you cannot be paid IR ESA Premiums on top of your CB ESA.

If you think that you can fulfil the criteria for payment of The SDP, and you can pass the means-test for entitlement to payment of IR ESA, you should contact DWP ESA :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA.

You should request an ESA 3 Form which is used to capture your financial and personal details to assess your entitlement to IR ESA payments.

Sample ESA 3 Form

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