ESA Contribution and Income related benefit

Hi Pamela,
Contribution based ESA is a fixed amount, everyone gets the same. Occupational pensions to £85 are ignored. Obviously with income based or means tested ESA you can have more benefit, depending on your circumstances. However all income including pensions, income from a partner is fully taken into account. If you have certain level of disability and get standard or enhanced daily living rate PIP this can give you entitlement to a larger amount of benefits, this is your personal allowance. So potentially if your allowance is greater than the rate of ESAcb, less the value of your pension income then it is entirely possible that you would get ESAcb topped up by an amount of ESAib.
Everyone who is in receipt of means tested benefits is automatically entitled to free prescriptions. You can show your ESA award letter. Depending on the value of your pension, you may still be entitled to free prescriptions on grounds of low income. In this case you would need fill out the application form to obtain a certificate. Google help with medical costs if you need further information. I have a feeling that you may be able to get a refund if you paid and were entitled to free prescriptions. You may need to show a receipt.
Contacting DWP is a good idea if you are not sure about your ESA award. It is always z good idea to do this as it will avoid the possibility of getting and overpayment if DWP make a mistake.
If you still don't understand your award, you may wish to contact eg CAB or siloam advice centre you can check everything fir you.
I hope this helps.
LL26