Q & A - Time limiting ESA(CB)

Members affected by the Time Limiting of Contribution Based ESA for members of the WRAG may be interested to read the following Questions & Answers document recently published by the DWP.

dwp.gov.uk/docs/esa-changes-q-and-a.pdf

Key Points

Claimants being assessed
Claimants being assessed at the time their 365 expires will lose there ESA(CB) payments. Payments will continue if they are eligible for ESA(IR) and will be backdated if they are subsequently placed in the Support Group, but not if they are placed in the WRAG.

Appealing from the WRAG to Support Group
As above.

Re-Qualifying for ESA(CB)
New claims must be seperated by at least 12 weeks from a previous claim for ESA(CB). Claimants will need to satisfy the existing Conditions for entitlement to ESA(CB) and at least one of the years used to test eligibility must be newer than those used for their previous claim.

Eligible for ESA(IR)
Claimants already receiving ESA(IR) in addition to their ESA(CB) will be moved to ESA(IR) without further information being required.

Claimants not currently receiving ESA(IR) but who may be eligible will need to complete and return an ESA3 form which determine whether they can receive ESA(IR).

NI Credits
Claimants not eligible for ESA(IR) can receive NI Credits towards their State Pension, but will be subject to regular re-assessment including completion of an ESA50 and possibly attending a WCA medical.

Hope this helps people facing this challenge.

Gordon

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