- Posts: 7
- Forum
- Members forums
- ESA, PIP, UC and DLA Queries and Results
- Myself & Partners Pension Affecting Benefits?
× Members
Myself & Partners Pension Affecting Benefits?
- Maxi66
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
5 years 11 months ago #230396 by Maxi66
Myself & Partners Pension Affecting Benefits? was created by Maxi66
Hi folks,
I hope someone can help and put my mind at ease. I currently get ESA (Support Group) and PIP at the lower rate due to a long standing illness.
At the end of 2018 I was sent the forms to fill out re: the change over from Incapacity Benefit to ESA explaining that I may be owed money. I did not think so but after a call from DWP where the girl told me that it did look like I was owed money I sent them back with all the information they requested.
My wife was cynical and reckoned they just wanted as much info as possible relating to financial circumstances. But as we have nothing to hide I sent them back as I said previously. As it turned out I was not owed anything and was told three weeks ago.
Today I received two letters with no form reference numbers that I can let you know about, but instead a two page letter to fill out. The letter starts with the following:
YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
OCCUPATIONAL/PERSONAL PENSIONS
We need to look at the money your partner gets from their occupational pension. This is because it may affect the amount of allowance you get.
Obviously, the letter to me asks about the amount I get.
They have listed the amounts exactly that was put in the previous forms about the IB/ESA transition and they want to see records showing any increases and have also asked for permission to contact the pension companies.
I don't have a problem with this because as I said we have nothing to hide, but why when I do not receive any means tested benefits would they ask for this?
I really hope someone can advise if this is normal practice.
Thanks,
Maxi
I hope someone can help and put my mind at ease. I currently get ESA (Support Group) and PIP at the lower rate due to a long standing illness.
At the end of 2018 I was sent the forms to fill out re: the change over from Incapacity Benefit to ESA explaining that I may be owed money. I did not think so but after a call from DWP where the girl told me that it did look like I was owed money I sent them back with all the information they requested.
My wife was cynical and reckoned they just wanted as much info as possible relating to financial circumstances. But as we have nothing to hide I sent them back as I said previously. As it turned out I was not owed anything and was told three weeks ago.
Today I received two letters with no form reference numbers that I can let you know about, but instead a two page letter to fill out. The letter starts with the following:
YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
OCCUPATIONAL/PERSONAL PENSIONS
We need to look at the money your partner gets from their occupational pension. This is because it may affect the amount of allowance you get.
Obviously, the letter to me asks about the amount I get.
They have listed the amounts exactly that was put in the previous forms about the IB/ESA transition and they want to see records showing any increases and have also asked for permission to contact the pension companies.
I don't have a problem with this because as I said we have nothing to hide, but why when I do not receive any means tested benefits would they ask for this?
I really hope someone can advise if this is normal practice.
Thanks,
Maxi
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51287
5 years 11 months ago #230410 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Myself & Partners Pension Affecting Benefits?
Maxi
So I assume that you are currently receiving Contribution Based ESA solely, this being the case then only your own personal pension(s) can affect your ESA, your wives should not be considered.
However, the form you completed is to see whether you would also be eligible for an Income Related ESA top-up in which case your wife's pension also becomes relevant.
I'll admit I'm confused by what the DWP is asking for, unless your pensions are very small I would expect them to be more than any ESA(IR) you might receive unless your wife also receives DLA or PIP.
Gordon
So I assume that you are currently receiving Contribution Based ESA solely, this being the case then only your own personal pension(s) can affect your ESA, your wives should not be considered.
However, the form you completed is to see whether you would also be eligible for an Income Related ESA top-up in which case your wife's pension also becomes relevant.
I'll admit I'm confused by what the DWP is asking for, unless your pensions are very small I would expect them to be more than any ESA(IR) you might receive unless your wife also receives DLA or PIP.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Maxi66
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Maxi66
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 7
5 years 11 months ago #230416 by Maxi66
Replied by Maxi66 on topic Myself & Partners Pension Affecting Benefits?
Hi Gordon,
Thanks for the reply. It is a bit bizarre as they have already been sent all the information on the form to see if they got the transition from IB to ESA correct, which as I said in my previous post they informed me they did by letter three weeks ago.
My pension is only a tiny one that would barely by two packs of cigarettes (I don't smoke by the way lol) and my wife's pension is occupational pension she got after taking early retirement about ten years ago.
I think maybe the best thing to do is give them a call on Monday or just send it back. I found a link you had previously posted about the same question, followed the link to a benefit calculator, filled it out and it came back with the exact same as what I get, so no problem there...hopefully.
Will keep you posted.
Maxi.
Thanks for the reply. It is a bit bizarre as they have already been sent all the information on the form to see if they got the transition from IB to ESA correct, which as I said in my previous post they informed me they did by letter three weeks ago.
My pension is only a tiny one that would barely by two packs of cigarettes (I don't smoke by the way lol) and my wife's pension is occupational pension she got after taking early retirement about ten years ago.
I think maybe the best thing to do is give them a call on Monday or just send it back. I found a link you had previously posted about the same question, followed the link to a benefit calculator, filled it out and it came back with the exact same as what I get, so no problem there...hopefully.
Will keep you posted.
Maxi.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David