Hi, please could anyone offer some advice?
I am in receipt of contribution based ESA support group, and at present low payment dla, not changed yet to pip.
I have now been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis on top of my long term problems which has had me on benefit for the past 15 years.
My problem is now that I have been advised that I can cash the whole of my small pension of 24K.
I am 52 years old, and my GP has signed a document to confirm I will not be in a position of working in the next 3 years at least to take me to the pension acceptance age of 55.
I own my home outright and have modest savings of approx 10k together with my husband who is working.
If I take the lump sum of 24k from my pension provider will this affect my ESA payments going forward?
I do understand if I drew a pension from it, I would be able to receive £85 per week without reduction, but as it is so small an amount, it would not generate enough as a pension, and if I could get the lump sum I could then get my bathroom made into a wet room and other alterations to make life easier for me in the future, but I do not want my ESA cutting as I have many years till my old age pension at 67 years old.
If someone could offer any advice I would be greatly obliged.
Many thanks , Emmpea. :