ESA means-tested?

Firstly, I apologize for any incorrect terms in the following as I do not know much about the workings of the Benefit system and the terms used.
I was diagnosed as a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic shortly after I was born in the mid-1950s, although I enjoyed excellent health (e.g., with full time work, unlimited overtime, etc) until 1984.
At this point, my diabetic control became very unstable and I also lost warning signs of a hypoglycaemia approaching. Numerous other problems also began - poor bladder control, excruciating neuropathy in both legs, high blood pressure, constant extreme fatigue, and as I have had numerous fitting hypos (that can occur at any time), this caused severe back injury which requires a high amount of daily Tramadol medication.
I am now on (1)Incapacity Benefit (since 1984), (2)DLA (the higher rate for both care and mobility) (since 1994), and (3)I also receive a £78 per week ill-health pension from my ex-employer who pensioned me off in 1984.

As most other people, I now await a medical which will surely result in my Incapacity Benefit being removed. I assume that when this happens, I will be given the ESA-Jobseekers' Benefit. Is this means-tested? If so, my £78 pw works pension will presumably exceed the limit and I would therefore receive only DLA in way of benefits. And no doubt this will disappear in due course also and I will be left with just my works ill-health pension of £78 to pay for everything?
Have I misunderstood anything here please?
David

Incapacity Benefit is contribution-based, so if you are transferred on to Employment and Support Allowance you will get that on the basis of your contributions too.

With ESA, as far as I know, there is no limit (six months or otherwise) to how long you can get it, as long as you are medically entitled to it. Because you would get contribution-based ESA, your pension would only be taken into account if it were over £85.

If you are refused ESA and have to claim Job Seekers Allowance, the contribution-based benefit is limited to 6 months, then it would be income-based and your pension would be taken into account.

So I would advise swotting up on ESA in good time, using the guides on this site when filling in the forms, and appealing if you are turned down.

All the best
Elaine

I was under the impression that any occupational pension you receive is not taken into consideration if you have been claiming it plus benefits before 2001. Does this still apply or has it been kicked into touch?

Yes waltwhitman you're right, the original poster has been claiming for so long his pension won't be taken into account for ESA at all.

I think I would have said that in the first place, but I was following on from a reply from someone else which has now completely vanished.

Sorry, that was my message. I went to edit it and accidentally deleted it. I'll try to get back to it later.

Many thanks.
I started to receive both Incap. Benefit *and* my works ill-health pension (now £78 pw) in 1984.
So does this mean that if I were shifted onto ESA-Jobseeker that my works pension would not be taken into account (although any savings over £16000 would be).
Is that right?
Thanks
David