ESA

I recently got my ill health retirement from work and receive a pension now. I then got a letter from ESA saying I had not told them about the pension and they dropped my payment to £50 a week.

Until this point I was in the support group and received £167.52 a week. I can see I was on contributions based ESA.

I receive maximum as I am classed as severely disabled through a mental health issue.

I was so shocked I haven't even replied and that was back in April. Can they stop my money? Can they do it because I never told them about my pension? I still get my PIP.

I don't know what to do

Hi Brian,

The only kind of income that affects Contributory ESA is occupational/private pension.

The first £85 per week of the pension is disregarded, then 50p ESA is lost for every further £1 of pension.

It is likely that DWP will continue to pay you the lower amount until they know how much pension you are receiving and for how long it has been paid.

In fact, by not replying to DWP you risk having your total payments suspended.

You might want to get some face to face advice before speaking to DWP. However, I would suggest you don't leave it much longer before doing so as this matter is not going to go away.

Yes.my pension is £167.81 a week according to them.
ESA payment of £169.62 a week through support group paement, Disability income guarantee, extra for housing costs and a sever disability payment

By the way I am on contribution based. Mrs Hurtyback. It was a letter saying they had made a decision based on my pension that they reduced my payment to £50. I am in the support group