ESA Support Group

Good news! As a result of being put into the ESA Support Group, my local Council informed me that Housing Benefit would now pay all my rent and Council Tax Support would pay all my Council Tax and what's more it would be backdated to Feb 2013 which is when I was switched from IB to ESA. The rent refund was paid direct to my housing association putting my rent account so into credit that I won't need to pay any heating charges until Nov. 2014. The Council Tax refund is on its way to me. So, to everyone in the ESA Support Group and in receipt of HB & CTS, make sure you too are getting this entitlement.

Well that's good news.

This may help other members as well.

However other members may want to bear in mind that different local authorities have different rules around HB.

I was uplifted by reading your post Roger.. its so good to hear something positive about Council tax, its such a shambles across the country ... Ive been trying to find out which councils are charging people in the ESA support group and which are not, but its like trying to get blood out of a stone ... i take the fact its so hard to find this information as an indication that a lot of it is not legal. Here in Manchester they have decided everyone of working age must pay a percentage of the council tax that was 8% last year and is now 15%... Of working age... is a very inaccurate and unfair term for people who are in the ESA support group, as the government themselves have decided these people cannot work whatever age they are. I would be interested to know which council you are under ... all the best to you

Hi in reply to your message I was wondering if anyone else could please help if this applies to Bradford Council Tax, as I have been receiving mixed messages from them daily.
I have had some years taken off due to the support group ESA, but some years have not been included as I was far too ill to send in relevant documents.
Would anyone be able to help me out with any knowledge of my situation, as I am due £1000s in overpayment.
I was first put on IS, due to disability 2008, then when ESA was introduced in 2012 they just made up their own mind up as I was in and out of hospital having treatment for mental health.
Any help would be gratefully received.
Many thanks.