ESA support group

hello,
I have had a telephone call today saying that I have been moved to ESA from incapacity and am in the support group...great relief.
the lady on the phone said that I was on the contributions part but was pushing to move me over to the income based part and told me that she would send the form for me to return. I told her I was confused and didn't understand her reasoning, I think she was just being helpful, I did ask what the consequences would be if I didn't return the form but she didn't really answer me. if I have been awarded on contribution based I couldn't follow why she wanted me to change
any thoughts about this anyone?

joyce wrote: hello,
I have had a telephone call today saying that I have been moved to ESA from incapacity and am in the support group...great relief.
the lady on the phone said that I was on the contributions part but was pushing to move me over to the income based part and told me that she would send the form for me to return. I told her I was confused and didn't understand her reasoning, I think she was just being helpful, I did ask what the consequences would be if I didn't return the form but she didn't really answer me. if I have been awarded on contribution based I couldn't follow why she wanted me to change
any thoughts about this anyone?

Hi j,

Congratulations on The SG award !!

If you wish to know the recommended length of the award before reassessment, (The Prognosis), you should be able to find this out by ringing the 0845 number on any ESA letters that you have.

You may also wish to request the ESA85/ESA85A medical report, whichever is applicable, see :

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

You can request this over the phone, but may need to make a written request also.

As you were transferred from IB, you will be entitled to CB ESA :

What will I be transferred to?

As you are in The SG, there will be no 365 day limit to payment, so you will continue to receive your CB ESA in The SG for as long as you remain in The SG :

What will I be paid?

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

The reason that you may have been advised to fill in a financial assessment form to see whether you are also entitled to IR ESA top-ups, is that there are Premiums that can be paid whilst in The SG.

ESA Premiums

These additional premiums can only be paid in addition to your CB ESA if you are also entitled to IR ESA, hence the request to fill in The ESA3 Financial Assessment Form.

Even if you were only entitled to a few pence of IR ESA as above, this would then passport you to other things such as free prescriptions/dental care, HB, CTB Support, etc, etc, so it is worth doing.

Here is a sample of an ESA3 (Not current) which will give you some idea of the questions for when you receive yours through the post :

Sample ESA 3 Form

See also :

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

So you would not be "transferred" to IR ESA if you qualify, you would still receive your CB ESA with IR ESA top-ups.

bro58

Hi J,

Congratulations on the Support Group award, thanks for letting us know

thank you for your swift reply.
I worry that the ESA 3 form is being sent, I doubt that I would be eligible as my husband is on a pension and we do not have a mortgage.

joyce wrote: thank you for your swift reply.
I worry that the ESA 3 form is being sent, I doubt that I would be eligible as my husband is on a pension and we do not have a mortgage.

Hi J,

As you are in receipt of CB ESA your husband's income can have no adverse effect as things stand.

If you fill the ESA3 in and they deem that your household income exceeds the allowable amount under the means test, then they will simply inform you that you are not entitled to any IR ESA, and you will continue to receive your CB ESA.

bro58

so I have been transferred from IB to contribution based ESA and am in the support group.
by sending me the ESA3 form do I have to return it if I feel that I don't fit the criteria for claiming?
sorry for sounding a bit slow but it really confuses me!