SDA

The thing I still can't get my head around is: people on contribution-based incapacity benefits will go onto contribution-based ESA (if they pass WCA), whilst those on means-tested IBs go onto means-tested ESA.

But SDA was never a means-tested benefit (as far as I know), and was specifically for those who DIDN'T meet the contribution criteria to get incapacity benefit ie. is not a contribution-based benefit either.

It seems to fall between two stools. Just makes me wonder how they will treat it - no wonder they want to migrate SDA people last. Surely there will be those on SDA who would fail both the contributions and means tests if they were applying for ESA as a new claimant, rather than being migrated? Isn't this an anomoly?

w.

winterchild wrote:

The thing I still can't get my head around is: people on contribution-based incapacity benefits will go onto contribution-based ESA (if they pass WCA), whilst those on means-tested IBs go onto means-tested ESA.

But SDA was never a means-tested benefit (as far as I know), and was specifically for those who DIDN'T meet the contribution criteria to get incapacity benefit ie. is not a contribution-based benefit either.

It seems to fall between two stools. Just makes me wonder how they will treat it - no wonder they want to migrate SDA people last. Surely there will be those on SDA who would fail both the contributions and means tests if they were applying for ESA as a new claimant, rather than being migrated? Isn't this an anomoly?

w.

Hi,

The latest I can find (as of November 2010)re the SDA to ESA migration is from a Disability Alliance Factsheet stating:

'The Treasury are still mulling over what to do about pre-1995 tax exempt claimants (of IB and SDA)''.

So it could still be a case of 'watch this space'.

Pete

Thanks for that, Pete.

ATB.
w.