I am in receipt of CB-ESA (support). I live with my husband. He has retired and claims state pension, he also has an occupational pension and a private pension. My question is this: Do I need to tell the DWP about this change to household income (a decrease), or is contribution based ESA only affected by my own early retirement occupational pensions. In other words, are my husband’s finances taken into account when calculating my CB-ESA entitlement or not? Thank you very much.
As you are in receipt of CB ESA then your partners income will not be taken into account, even his state and private pensions. You will not need to contact DWP unless you are receiving a means tested benefit.
If you are only receiving Contribution Based ESA and you receive a pension lump sum, this will not affect your ESA but a regular payment will. If the pension is more then £85/week then there will be a £1/week deduction for every £2 in excess of the £85. You would then have to inform DWP of your pension.
Gary
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