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ESA + SDP last group to be transferred to UC?
- templee
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5 years 11 months ago #230235 by templee
ESA + SDP last group to be transferred to UC? was created by templee
After resolving an issue with my wife's ESA payments, the DWP phone representative advised my that we would be better off if I stopped claiming Carers Allowance for my wife and then as we both qualify for PIP to claim for Severe Disability Premium as a couple. He also said that as Universal Credit has no provision for SDP, anyone on that benefit would be in the last group to be moved over to UC, if it lasted that long.
So two questions, Is he telling the truth, in that if we claim SDP there's a chance we'd stay on our current benefits, or is it a way to save the DWP money as people getting transferred to UC can't get SDP?
Second question, as Carers Allowance is taken out of the ESA as means tested income, is SDP the same, so we'll end up in the same position financially but will have spent time and stress to change? Or is SDP not means tested?
Thanks
So two questions, Is he telling the truth, in that if we claim SDP there's a chance we'd stay on our current benefits, or is it a way to save the DWP money as people getting transferred to UC can't get SDP?
Second question, as Carers Allowance is taken out of the ESA as means tested income, is SDP the same, so we'll end up in the same position financially but will have spent time and stress to change? Or is SDP not means tested?
Thanks
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- Gordon
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5 years 11 months ago #230256 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA + SDP last group to be transferred to UC?
Max
To be able to claim the Severe Disability Premium you must both be receiving an enabling benefit such as DLA MRC or HRC or PIP Daily Living, is this the case?
If only one of you is then you cannot claim SDP as one of the requirements is that the person must be living alone or considered to be living alone, the latter would be the case if you are both receiving an enabling benefit.
Although the SDP would pay more as a couple, you are receiving NI Credits as part of your CA which count towards a full State Pension, so you would lose these, however, you could claim the Carers Credit, this does not pay any money but does pay the Credits.
Although receiving UC currently bars a claimant from claiming UC, this won't always be the case although you would be entitled to Transitional Protection.
Gordon
To be able to claim the Severe Disability Premium you must both be receiving an enabling benefit such as DLA MRC or HRC or PIP Daily Living, is this the case?
If only one of you is then you cannot claim SDP as one of the requirements is that the person must be living alone or considered to be living alone, the latter would be the case if you are both receiving an enabling benefit.
Although the SDP would pay more as a couple, you are receiving NI Credits as part of your CA which count towards a full State Pension, so you would lose these, however, you could claim the Carers Credit, this does not pay any money but does pay the Credits.
Although receiving UC currently bars a claimant from claiming UC, this won't always be the case although you would be entitled to Transitional Protection.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- templee
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5 years 11 months ago #230264 by templee
Replied by templee on topic ESA + SDP last group to be transferred to UC?
My wife gets ESA support group as a couple. We both receive PIP. I currently claim CA for my wife from before I became disabled. I didn't stop claiming it as I'm always worried about contacting the DWP and rocking the boat.
Also as it's means tested, we wouldn't have been better off either way. But the man from the DWP call centre recommended me to stop claiming CA and instead claim SDP.
I can't find anywhere if it's means tested and if we'd be in the same place financially after the extra stress of claiming SDP if it was means tested.
It's complicated further because I'm told her ESA contains elements of both contribution and income based, which I can't find any information about online.
Thanks for the information about carers credit. Will go read up about it.
Thanks
Also as it's means tested, we wouldn't have been better off either way. But the man from the DWP call centre recommended me to stop claiming CA and instead claim SDP.
I can't find anywhere if it's means tested and if we'd be in the same place financially after the extra stress of claiming SDP if it was means tested.
It's complicated further because I'm told her ESA contains elements of both contribution and income based, which I can't find any information about online.
Thanks for the information about carers credit. Will go read up about it.
Thanks
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- Gordon
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5 years 11 months ago - 5 years 11 months ago #230265 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA + SDP last group to be transferred to UC?
Max
If you both have Daily Living awards then you should already be receiving a single person SD Premium in addition to your CA, you can close the CA and receive around £65/week SDP in replacement for the £35 Carers Premium, so about £30 more and the cessation of the CA deduction.
Your post suggests that no SDP is in payment so you should chase this with the DWP as it would be payable from date that you both had an enabling award.
Gordon
If you both have Daily Living awards then you should already be receiving a single person SD Premium in addition to your CA, you can close the CA and receive around £65/week SDP in replacement for the £35 Carers Premium, so about £30 more and the cessation of the CA deduction.
Your post suggests that no SDP is in payment so you should chase this with the DWP as it would be payable from date that you both had an enabling award.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 5 years 11 months ago by Gordon.
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