SDA-ESA: Successful Outcome

MariW wrote: I’ve just noticed the breakdown of payments on my own Decision Letter. The weekly sum is 123.70 and is broken down as follows:

• £72.40 Living expenses
• £87.95 Extra money because of Disability Income Guarantee
• £35.75 Support Group component

This amounts to £196.10 !

What on earth?

Mari

Hi MW,

Yes, £123.70 is what one would expect to receive if in The SG and entitled to The EDP for being in the SG and having entitlement to IR ESA. :

"£72.40 - Personal Allowance
£35.75 - Support Group
£15.55 - Enhanced Disability Premium (aka Disability Income Guarantee)
=====
£123.70"

As you were previously in receipt of SDA, you would be entitled to, and paid CB ESA:

What will I be transferred to?

Remember, if you were previously in receipt of SDA with Income Support (IS) top-ups, then you would be paid CB ESA with IR ESA top ups on transfer to ESA.

You are covered by Transitional Protection on transfer :

What will I be paid?

Is the figure that you quote, more than you were previously receiving ?

Are you also entitled to The Severe Disability Premium, as you fulfill the criteria below?:

ESA Premiums

All "ESA Premium" payments are covered under "The Disability Income Guarantee"

However, the surplus amount from the figure that you quote does not seem to tally with payment of The EDP & The SDP.

EDP (Single) = £15.55

SDP (Single) = £61.10

From : Benefit Rates 2014

£196.10 - £123.70 = £72.40

The surplus amount seems to be exactly £72.40 which coincides with The ESA Personal Allowance for a single over 25 year old.

My best advice would be to contact ESA if you feel that your payments are wrong.

bro58

I was paid approximately £119 per week when on SDA/ IS. The person that telephoned through with the Decision last week said there was a tiny increase. It adds up but the way it is expression in the Decision letter is a shambles. However, the letter states the figure of £123.70 three times so I pray there won't be any overpayment.

M

I'm working in out like this:

£87.9 (instead of £72.40) living expenses plus Disability Income Guarantee
£35.75 Support Group component
Total: £123.70

Brilliant! Thanks, Gordon, for confirming I've worked it out correctly at last. What a way they go about things!

Mari

It is 33 calendar days since I submitted a Subject Access Request following my ESA award. I sent the SAR by recorded delivery and have a printout showing it was signed for the following morning. Perhaps I’m being over pessimistic but I’ve got a feeling it might be a case of no show.

Two queries:

1. How long after 40 calendar days ought I to wait before writing to the DWP again?
2. What on earth do I write in a covering letter attached to a copy of SAR to get the DWP moving?

Mari W