IB to ESA checklist query

I finally gave in and rang ATOS this morning. They told me that my file had been forwarded to the decision maker at DWP. They also said that I had submitted enough medical evidence not to need an assessment. They said that the decision maker would make a decision withing the next 2-6 weeks and then inform my local office who would then let me know how my benefits might change. Does this mean that I'm either in the Support group or WRAG? I am a 61 year old female, due to retire in November 2014. If I'm in the WRAG, will I be expected to go along to the Jobcentre for whatever they devise for me or is there an age restriction? Thank You for any help with this.

Teri

Thank You for the reply Gordon. I will let you know the result either way when they let me know.

Teri

Hi Teri,

Just to let you know that there is no need to make a duplicate post if yours does not appear straight away. To keep this forum safe, all posts are pre-moderated before they are made public. How long this takes depends entirely on how many (voluntary) mods are on-line and how busy we are

UPDATE - I received a form ESA3 on Friday so, playing dumb, I rang DWP for an explanation as to what it was for. The young man went through all the security details and then told me that I had been awarded Contributory ESA and that I was in the Support Group for 36 months.
First of all – Thank you so much to everyone here who has helped me and advised me on filling in the ESA50 and other practical aspects of the change from IB to ESA. Without this site, I would have just filled in the form in the same way as the old IB forms and not had this successful result.
Instead, I got all my evidence into order and was able to include dates, Consultant’s names and dates of MRI scans which proved that my spinal surgery had been a failure 20 years ago and that the condition had worsened over the years. I had lots of recent evidenc of my other medical problems which impact on my life to a substantial degree.
Can anyone clarity the position of my Income Tax please. As I have been on Invalidity then Incapacity Benefit since 1993, I have not been subject to taxation even though I have a small pension. I have never claimed any income based benefits not have I had tax credits. Am I to understand that because I am now on ESA which is a taxable benefit, that I now have to pay Income Tax if my income goes beyond my tax allowance. I understood that this change in benefit payment would not mean a drop in income, but if ESA is taxable, then it will result in a drop due to any income tax now payable on my ESA plus Pension. I’m not complaining – just a bit confused on this.
Thanks again.

Teri

Teri wrote: UPDATE - I received a form ESA3 on Friday so, playing dumb, I rang DWP for an explanation as to what it was for. The young man went through all the security details and then told me that I had been awarded Contributory ESA and that I was in the Support Group for 36 months.
First of all – Thank you so much to everyone here who has helped me and advised me on filling in the ESA50 and other practical aspects of the change from IB to ESA. Without this site, I would have just filled in the form in the same way as the old IB forms and not had this successful result.
Instead, I got all my evidence into order and was able to include dates, Consultant’s names and dates of MRI scans which proved that my spinal surgery had been a failure 20 years ago and that the condition had worsened over the years. I had lots of recent evidenc of my other medical problems which impact on my life to a substantial degree.
Can anyone clarity the position of my Income Tax please. As I have been on Invalidity then Incapacity Benefit since 1993, I have not been subject to taxation even though I have a small pension. I have never claimed any income based benefits not have I had tax credits. Am I to understand that because I am now on ESA which is a taxable benefit, that I now have to pay Income Tax if my income goes beyond my tax allowance. I understood that this change in benefit payment would not mean a drop in income, but if ESA is taxable, then it will result in a drop due to any income tax now payable on my ESA plus Pension. I’m not complaining – just a bit confused on this.
Thanks again.

Teri

Hi T,

Congratulations on The SG award with the maximum prognosis !!

Thanks for letting us know, and for your kind words regarding B&W.

If you have been transferred from IB to ESA, you will be paid CB ESA.

What will I be transferred to?

What will I be paid?

They have probably sent you the ESA3 Financial Assessment Form to see whether you are entitled to any IR ESA top-ups to your CB ESA.

If you are, then you may be paid all, or part of The Enhanced Disability Premium, which you would be entitled to due to being placed into The SG :

ESA Premiums

As I have said, you will only be paid this if you are entitled to IR ESA.

With regards to Income Tax liability, the FAQ below should answer your question :

My IB was tax exempt; will it still be under ESA?

Although, if your OP was previously disregarded before transfer, it should also be now, for CB ESA.

Will my pension be disregarded under ESA?

Any Occupational Pension monies would still be classed as income with regards to the means test to see whether you are entitled to IR ESA.

Only CB ESA is liable to Income Tax, IR ESA isn't.

bro58