Diagnoseme

Having had the relief of being placed in support group for 18 month segment, I still have a few queries.

Been on sickness benefit for over 6 years, and now 36 years old, worked before this on and off since 16.

I,m on contribution ESA, I don't know why, and my award letter and the online benefit checker, suggests I can or should be on income based.

Income based gives me :

10 pound per week more.
Afaik beter dental care
Qualifys me for EDF 130 pound rebate.

However, I really don't want to go through more tests or effect things unduly, so looking for clarification on what I should do, and or what applying for income based means.

Thanks -

D

Following on from your comments Diagnoseme,
Many who are now placed on ESA SG/WRAG on CB vs IR are very much more worse off as we have no access to passporting to obtain other benefits/help as do those on IR Benefits.
This means we are denied access to Warm Front since its changes in October this year, or to get the £130 pr annum from any electric provder, no asseecc to DFG,no access to any green inititives any Local Authority will be implementing from Jan 2013, no reduction in NHS charges and the list goes on and on.
You cannot obtain full help anywhere unless you are now on a IR Benefit.For those who have a partner who is working or you as a couple are in receipt of Working Tax Credit and on CB Benefit you too are not able to get anything.We are financialy worse off than any on IR Benefits and I am informed that soon those on any CB Benefits will soon be taxableon those benefits.
So it looks as though on one hand one feels good to get into the support group but it well and truly has its pitfalls.
My MP who first said it must be a mistake has now re iterated that those on a CB Benefits are NOT on low income or on/near the poverty line and therefore passporting for other help/benefits is not an option desined for them, Help is only for those on IR Benefits.
We can be 1p over the threshold for receiving IR Benefit and it is not permitted to get an IR Related benefit.
I have done a calculation which shows those a person on ESA CB/DLA HR C/M and an income from a spouse over £7.000 p,annum is not entitled to anything, but 1p less amd the IR Benefits/help exceed £14,000 p,annum extra.
So where is the logic in that.

oops i should have said all CB Benefits and those benefits not taxable previously will be lumped together for those on CB and taxed thereof.
For those members of society who are deemed really sick and disabled are to be even more sidelined

This forum opening times is a bit strange !! lol

Anyway -

I don't know why I deemed to be on contribution based, as previous earnings and tax / insurance paid would have me believe I should be on CB. I also have zero savings or assets.

Also, CB is about 10 pounds per week less, so how this makes you not qualify for Dental etc, is perplexing.

The other day I had a leaflet type advice letter from the housing association ref the new rules for housing benefit and universal credit. Whilst I'm glad I have only one bedroom, the info did suggest that CB ESA SG is exempt from the new universal credit.

If being on CB ESA SG means I don't have to go through all the testing again then good. The whole thing has been so stressful, especially with all one reads and hears about the process. And especially so as these new PIP tests will be coming in next year, to have that and UC tests on top of the ESA that has just gone through is a bit of a nightmare for someone with my person to person issues.

Seems like ESA has been a waste of time and MILLIONS, maybe their retaining ESA CB SG - to at least be able to state ESA still remains.