UK benefits: Going onto contributions-based ESA
I was recently switched from incapacity benefit to the support group of contributions-based ESA. Because it doesn't automatically entitle me to other benefits (housing, council tax, and possibly glasses, dental and prescriptions), a friend of mine suggested I ask to swap to the income-based ESA.
I rang the benefits dept. today and was told no, because I was on incapacity benefit I'm automatically on contributions-based ESA. Because I'm in the support group (deemed too ill to work), I can stay on it indefinitely.
However, that means I have to reapply for housing benefit and council tax benefit. A small fact that none of them mentioned to me until I asked.
So, if you've been swapped over or are going to be swapped over, make sure you check to see if you need to reapply for the other benefits too.
I rang the benefits dept. today and was told no, because I was on incapacity benefit I'm automatically on contributions-based ESA. Because I'm in the support group (deemed too ill to work), I can stay on it indefinitely.
However, that means I have to reapply for housing benefit and council tax benefit. A small fact that none of them mentioned to me until I asked.
So, if you've been swapped over or are going to be swapped over, make sure you check to see if you need to reapply for the other benefits too.