DWP Two Step Begins

Hi Just Me

I think you may be confusing the ESA claim form with the ESA50.

I can't remember what the claim form looks like as I applied over the phone, but it sounds like you have the claim form that asks about savings. I don't remember if it asks which type of ESA you are claiming or whether they determine that from the boxes you tick and your contribution record.

After that form is processed and it is decided that you are eligible to claim ESA, then you will be sent the dreaded ESA50 questionnaire about your health.

Derek

Oh god this is getting more complicated by the minute. .

I have a friend who works as an assistant for a Cab office and she just asked one of the advisers there about it and she said that you only have to fill in all these income details when you move from ICB to ESA if you're claiming the means tested form of ICB linked to Income Support. If you're on contributions based ICB you just get moved to contributions based ESA and you don't have to fill in those details.

I know that I would be able to claim income based benefits whilst I still have property siting on a back burner that I'm not living in, and I'm still too ill to move into or sell.

Oh and that should have read 'wouldn't be able'. Damn my poor eyesight,

Hi Just Me

I think you need face-to-face advice, as the complications are probably caused by the limitations of communicating on a message board. I'll just try to clarify, and hope that it doesn't cause even more confusion!

When you mentioned ICB, I take it that you meant IB.

Incapacity Benefit is contribution-related and is now being replaced by Contribution-Related ESA.

'Income Support due to sickness' is the means-tested equivalent of IB, and is now being replaced with Income-Related ESA.

During the migration process, IB and IS claimants will be moved (assuming they pass the WCA) to CR-ESA and IR-ESA respectively.

The information that your friend gave you appears to me to be correct, as you are not claiming a means-tested benefit, therefore your savings should not be relevant.

My understanding is that if you fail your ESA medical you are entitled to claim ESA at assessment rate pending appeal, as this entitlement does not apply solely to income-related ESA. If you pass, you don't need to worry about moving in or selling your house for another year.

I don't think you will be required to fill in the form you mentioned earlier as it is a form for people making a new claim. You will probably just be sent an ESA50 medical questionnaire.

Hope this helps, but feel free to respond when the forums open.

Derek