ESA move to income based

samsmum wrote: Hi, I am on ESA support group and before that incap benefit and want to ask about getting it transferred from contribution based to income based. I believe the rate is the same but that I would qualify for NHS help as I do not at this time. Could you advise if this can be done?

You will need to meet the eligibility criteria for ESA(IR), if you do then you will continue to receive your ESA(CB) and the ESA(IR) will be paid as a top-up.

ESA(IR) is dependant on your household income, your savings and assets, and any hours that your partner works. See

Asset and savings rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

If you are eligible then you should ask the DWP about the ESA(IR) being backdated to when you were transferred to ESA from IB.

You will need to complete an ESA3 form which captures information about your financial situation, this is not a reassessment of you entitlement to ESA.

Gordon

standswithafist wrote: Can you just clarify this for me please? I thought ESA was either contribution based or income related.
Thanks

You can receive ESA(IR), ESA(CB) or ESA(CB) with an ESA(IR) top-up if your circumstances allow it.

Gordon