Income Support and ESA query

Hello, well the dreaded form arrived eventually 5 weeks after the initial 'phone call and I am ploughing through it with the help of the brilliant advice guides on here. I was wondering if you can shed any light on this query please:
I currently get Income Support in my name plus Carers allowance, tax credits and child benefit while my husband gets incapacity benefit and DLA in his name. Am I right in thinking that the ESA will take over Income Support too and how does this work when it is in my name? I assume I'll get a letter about the change over at some point? Or have I got it all wrong? It's all so confusing.
Thank you

sarannie wrote:

Hello, well the dreaded form arrived eventually 5 weeks after the initial 'phone call and I am ploughing through it with the help of the brilliant advice guides on here. I was wondering if you can shed any light on this query please:
I currently get Income Support in my name plus Carers allowance, tax credits and child benefit while my husband gets incapacity benefit and DLA in his name. Am I right in thinking that the ESA will take over Income Support too and how does this work when it is in my name? I assume I'll get a letter about the change over at some point? Or have I got it all wrong? It's all so confusing.
Thank you

Hi S,

Is the Income Support that you receive due to your inability to work due to your health conditions ?

If so, then if you are successfully transferred to ESA in either group, this will be replaced by Income Related ESA.

Are you sure that you receive Carers Allowance for giving care to husband or is it The Carer Premium, paid with your IS.

See :

What will I be transferred to?

What will I be paid?

Just as a footnote, if you are placed into The WRAG of ESA, you cannot be compelled to attend WFI's or WRA if you are in receipt of Carers Allowance, or The Carers Premium, for giving care to another.

See :

Work Focussed Interviews

Work Programme


bro58

Hello and thank you. I am sole carer for my husband and, although not relevant to this, I am also home educating my 14 year old daughter after she suffered a nervous breakdown at school.Prior to her breakdown in 2010 I was working just for 6 hours per week but I actually get more being on Income Support. Yes it is actually Carers Allowance that I get.

sarannie wrote:

Hello and thank you. I am sole carer for my husband and, although not relevant to this, I am also home educating my 14 year old daughter after she suffered a nervous breakdown at school.Prior to her breakdown in 2010 I was working just for 6 hours per week but I actually get more being on Income Support. Yes it is actually Carers Allowance that I get.

Hi s,

Is it you, or your husband that is being transferred to ESA ?

bro58

Sorry, I'm not being very clear. My husband. He's been on IB for 10 years and also DLA.

sarannie wrote:

Sorry, I'm not being very clear. My husband. He's been on IB for 10 years and also DLA.

Hi s,

If your husband is only in receipt of IB, and DLA then he should only be transferred to Contributary ESA, if successfully migrated.

See :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) Updated 10/03/12

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) – Implementation New


Also, all Income Support is being replaced by Univeral Credit starting in 2013.

As your question encompasses several different benefits, and it would not be possible for me to have access to your personal circumstances on the forum, you should seek face to face advice, see :

Where to get advice?

bro58