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ESA/Housing Benefit/Pension queries
- digitalrace
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11 years 11 months ago - 11 years 11 months ago #105869 by digitalrace
ESA/Housing Benefit/Pension queries was created by digitalrace
Hello
Firstly thank you for your help. As advised by you I requested my ESA85A medical report and now know that my prognosis is 18 months.
Secondly I am wondering if you can give me any advice regarding a 'deferred' pension. I was shocked to discover that my Housing Benefit claim has been suspended because my Income Support stopped and was replaced by ESA. I had no idea that I had to inform Housing Benefit that I have been migrated from Icap to ESA and assumed this would be automatic but it isnt and perhaps the members of this website should be made aware that they have to inform Housing benefit that they have now been awarded ESA.
With the letter telling me that my Housing benefit claim was suspended was a form and on the form was a question asking if I had deferred receipt of an occupational/private pension. I had no idea what 'deferred' meant and so I contacted my occupational pension provider who informed me my pension was deferred and that just because i wasnt taking it doesnt mean that i am no eligiable to take it. Apparently I became eligable to take this pension when I reached age 55 which is my current age and I havnt contributed to this pension since leaving work in 1990 due to ill health and have not received any income.
I have received all the details from pension provider and have submitted all these details to DWP and Housing benefit.
However I have been told by a freind that if can take this pension then DWP/Housing Benefit might request that I do take my pension now and this will reduce my benefit payments and future pension amounts.
I worried about this and wondering if there is any truth in what my freind has told me. I cant get any sense from DWP/Housing Benefit and I wondering if you could help me with this issue.
Thank you
Digitalrace
Firstly thank you for your help. As advised by you I requested my ESA85A medical report and now know that my prognosis is 18 months.
Secondly I am wondering if you can give me any advice regarding a 'deferred' pension. I was shocked to discover that my Housing Benefit claim has been suspended because my Income Support stopped and was replaced by ESA. I had no idea that I had to inform Housing Benefit that I have been migrated from Icap to ESA and assumed this would be automatic but it isnt and perhaps the members of this website should be made aware that they have to inform Housing benefit that they have now been awarded ESA.
With the letter telling me that my Housing benefit claim was suspended was a form and on the form was a question asking if I had deferred receipt of an occupational/private pension. I had no idea what 'deferred' meant and so I contacted my occupational pension provider who informed me my pension was deferred and that just because i wasnt taking it doesnt mean that i am no eligiable to take it. Apparently I became eligable to take this pension when I reached age 55 which is my current age and I havnt contributed to this pension since leaving work in 1990 due to ill health and have not received any income.
I have received all the details from pension provider and have submitted all these details to DWP and Housing benefit.
However I have been told by a freind that if can take this pension then DWP/Housing Benefit might request that I do take my pension now and this will reduce my benefit payments and future pension amounts.
I worried about this and wondering if there is any truth in what my freind has told me. I cant get any sense from DWP/Housing Benefit and I wondering if you could help me with this issue.
Thank you
Digitalrace
Last edit: 11 years 11 months ago by Gordon.
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11 years 11 months ago #105879 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA/Housing Benefit/Pension queries
digitalrace
Your Local Authority should have been informed by the DWP of your transfer, however, there is a specific requirements on all claimants for all benefits, for the claimant to notify the relevant agencies of a Change of Circumstances.
In regard to your pension, deferring your pension is usually taken as meaning a person not actioning it at the normal time, for example; not taking the State Pension when you reach State Pension Age, however, there are various rules around this that are dependant of your personal circumstances so you need to get face to face advice from a trained advisor.
Where to get advice?
Gordon
Your Local Authority should have been informed by the DWP of your transfer, however, there is a specific requirements on all claimants for all benefits, for the claimant to notify the relevant agencies of a Change of Circumstances.
In regard to your pension, deferring your pension is usually taken as meaning a person not actioning it at the normal time, for example; not taking the State Pension when you reach State Pension Age, however, there are various rules around this that are dependant of your personal circumstances so you need to get face to face advice from a trained advisor.
Where to get advice?
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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