ESA free prescriptions support group

Hi jim555

When you get a letter from the DWP about the increase in your benefit, and they are now being sent out, it will tell you on last page what type of award you will be receiving.

If you are on IR ESA it will not turn into CB ESA. You state that ' my breakdown summary of ESA states a income related amount and no mention of contribution based' you have answered your own question 'income related amount' (IR). If you were on contribution based ESA then it would state 'Contribution'.

Due to a change in the law a few years ago you can only get CB ESA for one year unless you are placed in the support group in which case it is indefinite (unless you are reassessed and placed in the work group/ found fit for work or you receive your state pension).

Lots of benefits and premiums stop when you reach state pension age.

Here is a link to the Government website www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility which may be of some use to you in helping you to answer your questions.

Gary

Hi jim555

ESA award is ongoing until you are next assessed, if you are in the support group then it is usually every 3 years. If you are in receipt of CB ESA and in the support group then your claim will be ongoing, if your were in the Work Related Group then your contribution based ESA would stop after one year and you would then go on to claim IR ESA, at this stage your partners income is then taken into account.

Gary