ESA Rates

Can someone explain the different rates of esa?

supported i know, but the other two is slightly confusing on which is which, as i am awaiting my ESA form, but the disability worker in my job centre says i might be put in income part of esa - hence my confusion about different rates.


i understand if you cant explain simple, after all the whole thing is well confusing n stressful and dreading the medical to be honest(as thought i might get transfered over but unlikey due to advise from jc!!)

Rhian x

rhiang1984 wrote:

Can someone explain the different rates of esa?

supported i know, but the other two is slightly confusing on which is which, as i am awaiting my ESA form, but the disability worker in my job centre says i might be put in income part of esa - hence my confusion about different rates.


i understand if you cant explain simple, after all the whole thing is well confusing n stressful and dreading the medical to be honest(as thought i might get transfered over but unlikey due to advise from jc!!)

Rhian x

Hi R,

As it appears that you are new to the forum, and just in case that you haven’t already done so, it may help if you read :

Welcome to Benefits and Work

You can access our FAQ’s in the yellow Spotlight Area, at the top above the forum, from here :

FAQ’s

You can search the forums for previously posted topics from here :

Searching The Forum

To see potential sources of advice, and representation, see :

Where to get advice?

You can access our ESA Guides from here :

ESA Guides

With regards to your question, if you are making a fresh claim for ESA, you will be placed on the assessment rate of ESA for 13 weeks, after that, you should have been assessed under the WCA (Work Capability Assessment).

There are three possible outcomes from the WCA :

1. Found fit for work, ESA will cease unless you choose to appeal the decision.

2. You are placed into The Work Related Activity Group of ESA, (WRAG) and will therefore receive the Work Related Activity Component payable on top of the basic rate.

3. You are placed into The Support Group of ESA, the Support Group has its own component which is paid in addition to the basic rate amount, you may also be entitled to premiums.

How much you will actually receive depends on your personal circumstances.

If you are being transferred over to ESA from IB, IS, or SDA, and are placed into the WRAG or SG of ESA you will not receive any less benefit than you received before being transferred, (under transitional protection)

It will help if you read our ESA Guides, and ESA FAQ's.

To see the current rates of ESA, scroll down to Employment and Support Allowance on this document :

April 2012 Benefit Rates

Hope this helps.

bro58

Mod Edit : Posted same time as Gordon.

well at the min i am on dla, with my parent claiming carer allowance based on middle rate of dla - am wondering will that be taken off if i will be put on esa ir?
think i have to wait until i done the form to see what i get (esa ir i hope due to lack of proper income i presume?) as i still getting paid incap at the min

Rhian

rhiang1984 wrote:

well at the min i am on dla, with my parent claiming carer allowance based on middle rate of dla - am wondering will that be taken off if i will be put on esa ir?
think i have to wait until i done the form to see what i get (esa ir i hope due to lack of proper income i presume?) as i still getting paid incap at the min

Rhian

Hi R,

DLA is a none means tested allowance, and is not therefore classed as income.

DLA and ESA are two totally different benefits/allowances, with different qualifying criteria, although there are a couple of crossovers.

If you are currently in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and are successfully transferred over to the WRAG or SG of ESA you can not be payed any less than you get now on IB.

The DLA would continue as now, for as long as you remain entitled to it.

bro58

Mod Edit : Gordon beat me to it again.