does increase in esa affect housing benefit?

[tessintrouble]

I have been moved from wrag to support group after my condition worsened. This includes a slight increase in esa payments. I also receive some housing benefit to help with my rent and reduced council tax. Will this increase from DWP decrease my other benefits? It would be a shame if given with one hand and taken away with the other! Thanks x

[Iampain]

I don't think so but the only way to be sure is to telephone them. I would do this straight away as they are very keen to recover overpayments as I know to my cost after they had made a mistake calculating my housing benefit!

Gentle hugs

Jan x

[rosewine]

I've just pasted this for you from one of the advice websites.

If you are on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or the guarantee credit of Pension Credit (whether you get it on its own or with the savings credit), Housing Benefit will cover all of your eligible rent. But you need to remember that not all of your rent or housing costs may be covered.

It also states on the Turn2Us site that if you are on ESA and in the Support group you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap.

Hope this helps.x

[TheAuthor]

Hi tessintrouble

I do not really know anything about this but I can see that rosewine has given you some good advice. So i want to wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[tessintrouble]

thank you all for your replies. I called my council today and it seems that my housing benefits and council tax will be reduced. I can understand that, it would be too good to be true if you got a bit more money for being ill. Whe have to be grateful to be in a country that does care for those that are disabled. At least I had two weeks of being "in the money honey" !! take care all x x

[tessintrouble]

sorry, just to be clear, my other benefits will be reduced so will be no better off financially. One benefit increase will decrease the other - so will stay the same. But, look at other countries - we are so blessed to be in a country that has nhs and other benefits. My rheumatoid arthritis drugs (not including pain killers etc) cost over £500 a month, so I remain grateful for what I get. x