ESA income related

I would very grateful if you are able to help me determine where I am on Income related esa (I assume I was up until now). My husband was jointly on my claim as I am unwell and was unable to find any employment. He now receives his state pension and my ESA has been cut in half. Our mortgage is still being paid by the DWP. The reason I am asking is I thought ESA income related was not taxable. I contacted HMRC who said I had been taxed for the last year. I have looked at Form P60U which show reference as ESA500 for year 6 April 2017 which show taxable benefit of £5699. and tax code of 1100LX. The form also shows tax deducted 0, tax refunded ) and net tax deducted 0. I have on this benefit for approx 6 years. I apologise if I am confusing you. HMRC say I have a tax code BRX (DWP).

Kind regards
Ann

Many thanks Gordon. Can I just ask, would the dwp have cut my ESA in half because my husband now receives his pension? I have not paid contributions for at least 6 years so would the CB ESA not apply to me now? Is there any way of finding out more about my benefit other than contacting by phone or letter which always makes me have a panic attack. My husband was always on my claim and when we filled in his pension form I informed them of my ESA. I had a couple of workplace pension come through this year and I took approximately £7000. The HMRC say my code is what I said in the last email because I told them I was ESA income related. They said I had an allowance of £11500 but that i have been paying tax on the ESA in previous years. So as it stands the taxable amount on the ESA on the previous email would that amount be deducted from my personal allowance. I am so sorry to go on, but what happens if you go over your personal allowance and how does it affect ESA and the DWP. Do the DWP and HMRC communicate and liaise in these matters. I am concerned because I think the amount that I took from the pension pay out may affect my ESA. Gordon please only reply when you have time.

Kind regards
Ann

Many thanks again Gordon. I did inform the DWP about the pension and the adviser said you can have up to £6000. I will try and clarify with face to face. The amount I had paid to me was under the £6000 limit but I received tax rebate which took me over the limit. Thank you once again for your help. It it so complicated and even speaking with HMRC he has given me tax code of BRX DWP which means nothing to me because I said i was ESA Income related. Which ESA should have said I was to HMRC classed as. Thanks again Gordon.