income based esa top ups

my friend is currently in the assessment phase of ESA shes been waiting over 12 months for a assessment (ESA. income based). Today she was informed that she has been awarded standard rate PIP for both care and mobility.
She is now wandering whether she is entitled to any top ups on her income based esa.
Thanks Tango.

tango wrote: my friend is currently in the assessment phase of ESA shes been waiting over 12 months for a assessment (ESA. income based). Today she was informed that she has been awarded standard rate PIP for both care and mobility.
She is now wandering whether she is entitled to any top ups on her income based esa.
Thanks Tango.

Hi t,

Even if she is in the Assessment Phase, if she is entitled to payment of IR ESA, is in receipt of a Standard DL PIP Award and can fulfil the other qualifying criteria for payment of The Severe Disability Premium (SDP) as seen in this FAQ : Income Related (IR) ESA Premiums , they should be entitled to The SDP as an IR ESA top-up to their current ESA Assessment Rate payments.

The SDP is currently £61.85/Week for a single and £123.70/Week for a couple :

Benefit Rates 2015/16

If they are already receiving IR ESA they need to contact DWP and request an : IS10 Form if no IR ESA is currently be paid and it is CB ESA they need to request an : ESA 3 Form (Sample)

If they are entitled to The SDP, it should be backdated to the date of their Standard DL PIP Award !!

She could try these to see what her maximum IR ESA entitlement is :

Benefits Calculators.

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

bro58

Hi t,

If DWP ESA try to say that you cannot receive IR ESA Premiums whilst in The Assessment Phase as they sometimes do, this extract :

"Applicable amount

44037 ESA(IR) is paid for the claimant and any partner or partners. There is no amount for dependants. The applicable amount includes

1. the claimant's personal allowance. This may include an amount for any partner or, in the case of a polygamous marriage, partners (see DMG 44061). During the assessment phase the personal allowance is age related (see DMG 44058)

and

2. if appropriate

2.1 premiums

2.2 certain housing costs"

From : DMG CH44 @ Para 44037 confirms that they can !!

bro58

Hi t,

I should have mentioned this above, but if their Standard PIP Mobility Award was given for their walking limitations "Moving Around" that also entitles them to a Blue Badge and a 50% reduction in Car Road Tax for their car, or another car that they have the use of :

See : Here. and just over half way down : This Page.

Under the heading : Vehicle tax reduction.

bro58