Rates of benefit for ESA Support Group

Firstly I would like to thank the site for the information which was helpful in submitting my assessment form, I was allocated to the Support Group, a very great relief, I have a neurological condition.

Three weeks ago I received a phone call from the Hyde office to inform me of this. I was also told that I may be entitled to an increase in benefit as I am on the Contributions Based rate. £71 living expenses, £34.05 for Support Group addition and £5.80 top up payment to ensure that I don't see a reduction as I am transferred from Incapacity Benefit to ESA.

The lady asked me some questions about whether I was single (yes) and whether I had savings over £6000 (No) then said that I may be entitled to up to about an extra £10 a week if I applied for Income Related ESA and sent me a form which I received a few days later and then the letter confirming that I am in the Support Group and the details of payments as quoted above.

However, reading the form and looking at your own page
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claim...aq/general-faq#Gen30
I am unable to see how this extra £10 would be made up. I have rung the DWP/Jobcentre three times but I have a sensitive info block on my records and have had to ask for a call back once the records have been accessed. I have not received the call back after any of them and it has cost me nearly £10 in charges (expensive 0845 number held on wait for long periods)

I since called back one more time and it was suggested I call my local Jobcentre with help in going through the form. Before I do this I need to find out how my benefit might be assessed to allow for the extra £10 or so. I have a friend who has also just been put in the Support Group and he was raised from about £101 p/w to £119 or so without making any applications or filling any forms. There are very few noticeable differences in our situations.

I was told there is a website where all this can be detailed but I haven't been able to find it. I need to look at that before I try to go through it on the phone.

I am also concerned that submitting a reassessment may lead to a repeat medical assessment, or that I may lose my £5.80 top up. I asked the last gentleman I spoke to for a letter confirming that my Support Group allocation is for two years, which I was told on the first contact phone call, as the letter does not specify this length of time and he said he would forward my request to the Hyde office and that I should expect it in a few days. (I'm not holding my breath.)

I would be most grateful if you could help shed any light on how all this might work in the fine detail or the DWP webpage that would explain the reassessment rates.

Thankyou for your attention.

Thankyou Gordon, none of this has previously been explained to me by DWP advisors on the phone.

Do you have the URL of the DWP website detailing this please?

Thankyou for your assistance.