A Young Man In Receipt Of Incapacity Benefit Has Got A Letter Stating That It Is Being Transferred To...

[sandyRoe]

...Contributory Employment and Support Allowance later this month. The letter states he may now qualify for an income related 'top up' and an application form was enclosed.
Does this mean that the level of benefits he was getting up to now will remain unchanged?

[sandyRoe]

Nobody?

[mazie]

Sorry sandy, I know nothing about benefits. Can you check out the government web sites, they may be able to help.

[pixie373]

I'm sorry, sandy. I don't know. Is there a number on the,letter that you could contact. I imagine it depends on his circumstances.

[sandyRoe]

Thank you, Mazie. There might be someone along later who knows a bit about this. He's in a home now as a result of a head injury and gets upset at the slightest problem. If his benefit, same amount different name, stays the same it would save a lot of hassle.

[mazie]

Awww sandy I hope it all works out well for him.

[emmie]

if its a top up that means it should go up, is there any more info,
as to why he is now on ESA - has he had any kind of medical recently, available for work?

[emmie]

ok sorry i should have read that bit, then his money should go up i believe.

[sandyRoe]

Emmie, I think everybody on Incapacity Benefit are being moved to the other one. A Tory ploy to weed out the shirkers?
He's not capable of any sort of work.

[emmie]

is he now totally unfit for work... because those on ESA are two components, those who will be left alone, someone made the decision to let the person be, or those who are in work related ESA, so may be asked at some point to go to some training, support, mental health help, its a bit hard to explain. He may well get extra monetary help, if really stuck
contact the CAB and ask, don't ring the DWP you will be on there forever and won't get the info you necessarily need.

[emmie]

i know that happened to me without my being told. Was a total shock
suggest that if he is not fit for any kind of work, then they are saying he may be eligible for extra money to help with day to day activities,
suggest still contact the CAB if you or someone can, they are good place to start.

[sandyRoe]

He has a social worker. I'll try and contact her tomorrow.

[emmie]

don't know about tory ploy, don't think the labour boys would have done any different and won't change it.

[emmie]

social worker may not help, you need a benefits advisor, i have one who is a boon, ask her first, then if not sure as said try the CAB, would it be problematic for him to receive extra money??

[emmie]

useful info
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/further-information

[sandyRoe]

It would for a number of reasons. Looking at the form they sent there's a section on savings. He already has more than the permitted level. I'd be helping his mother fill in the form and don't want to have her signing a false claim.

[emmie]

from that gov. link

Moving from Incapacity Benefits to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You’ll be told whether you’re in the Support Group or Work-Related Activity Group after the review of your claim to:

Incapacity Benefit
Income Support paid because of illness or disability
Severe Disablement Allowance

Your benefit will be transferred automatically and there will be no break in the payments you receive.

If the amount of Incapacity Benefit you get is more than the amount of ESA, you’ll get a ‘top-up payment’. This means that you’ll continue to get the same amount of money as you get now. The amount of benefit you get won’t rise until the amount of ESA catches up with the amount of the top-up payment.

If the amount of Incapacity Benefit you get is lower than the amount of ESA, you will get more money. Your money will increase as soon as you move to ESA.

[emmie]

does he have a lot over the limit. On this matter i would consult an expert, as one can come unstuck with it, having to repay monies if they know he has more than the limit..

[sandyRoe]

He has about 25K. He wouldn't understand if you tried to explain things to him.

[emmie]

ok thats well and truly over the limit, 25k, they would consider it savings,
did he get it for injuries as not sure if there are any exemptions
benefits advisor at the CAB would be best bet, can only give my own experiences. Do not fill in any form until you, they have consulted one.
if it's you and his mother go and see them soonest.

[emmie]

not trying to be alarmist, but this can be a problem, read it and see what i mean

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075861/Pauline-Ford-58-saved-22k-nest-egg-benefits-pay-back.html