Contribution ESA coming to an end - advice please

Hi Guys,
Had a letter say that I cannot get Contribution ESA after 8 June as my 365 days are up (plus a few days ago they kindly sent me a new ESA form to fill in )

I called dwp and spoke to a stupid man and ended up in tears, he said I had to fill in new esa50 and then see what happens with beneifts, I said I understand that but I could not go without benefits while waiting to see if i am entitled to income related esa when contribution ends.

He said I have to fill in form esa3 (this took me 15 mins to get this out of him). I said is the form automatically sent, he had to go and check. OMG (hair pulling by this time) or do I have to ask for it. He said I will have to check please wait.......he came back to say I had to ask for it, so I said can you send it then, yes he said - what an idiiot -even asked which address to send it to - I said the one we are talking about now.........so this form is coming out to me.

If I am entitled will there be a break in my benefits?

What entitles me to be able to get income based ESA when contribtuion based has stopped?

Its so confusing, why dont they automatically just send you out the ESA3 - some people would not realise you can get income related ESA.

Thanks in advance.

The ESA3 form will ask for details of your income (plus income and working hours of a live-in partner if you have one) and savings.

If you are entitled to income-related ESA you should get it without a break as long as you get the form returned quickly. If you live alone, have no other income (DLA doesn't count) and savings under£16000 you are likely to qualify although there would be a reduction in ESA for assets over £6000.

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)


Asset rule for ESA(IR)

Edit -Sorry, I forgot to say that you should also get the new ESA50 filled in and submitted on time for this reassessment.

Mrs Hurtyback wrote: The ESA3 form will ask for details of your income (plus income and working hours of a live-in partner if you have one) and savings.

If you are entitled to income-related ESA you should get it without a break as long as you get the form returned quickly. If you live alone, have no other income (DLA doesn't count) and savings under£16000 you are likely to qualify although there would be a reduction in ESA for assets over £6000.

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)


Asset rule for ESA(IR)

Edit -Sorry, I forgot to say that you should also get the new ESA50 filled in and submitted on time for this reassessment.

Thank you so so much this is really helpful.
I do not have a partner and I wish I had ANY savings, so fingers crossed I will be able to get income related.

I too am interested in this topic as my son lives with us and we are pensioners. He is on CB ESA at the moment and when it runs out after the 365 days will he be able to claim IR ESA? I am not sure if our pensions would be taken into account. He does not have a partner working or otherwise?

Hi Gordon many thanks for that, he would certainly be within any income limits he only has a very little savings. Hopefully as you say our small pensions won't count and be classed as independant adults. Thanks for the very helpful info