I thought members might be interested to know about this fact that caused me a lot of income.
I had been on the support aspect of ESA for many years. However, a few years ago we were left a sum of money and used it to buy the rented house we were living in and then were living on the remainder Until we went below the £6000 limit.
When we received this money, we contacted the ESA and told them we were no longer eligible.
When we finally went to them to get ESA reinstated, we were told that it had been cancelled instead of being put on hold, and I would therefore have to claim universal credit instead . I was not aware that this option had been available as obviously I would have put it on hold until such time as we needed to claim it again.
I’m quite cross with the ESA department as I clearly told them we had received the money from a Will, and I thought they would’ve told me that I could put it on hold and not cancel it all together.
Perhaps this might help one of your members in the future and save them some money and time.
