CBESA IRESA and Occupational Pension

[fjh29]

Hi, I'm here again with my benefits and pension, so hopefully, someone can explain I'm getting nowhere with DWP again!!

Every April I send my O/P increase to DWP recorded delivery then they send back confirming. The amount is deducted from IRESA (what I thought I was receiving ) my benefits are:-

CBESA £73.10 Disability Premium £33.55 Severe Dis’ £64.30 Enhanced Dis’ £16.40.

My pension is £172.84 paid every 4 weeks. Since submitting my increase DWP haven't reduced my ESA I'm constantly phoning because I don't want to be overpaid. Phoned again today only to be told I'm not receiving IRESA and that's the reason my money hasn't been reduced, I explained that my pension has been deducted from my benefits since 2014 and all the call handler said ”it won't be from now” I'm so confused I even written a letter explaining but still nothing. So I'm at my wit's end because I don't know if I'm receiving the correct monies or I'm being overpaid, I live alone no one claims for me, I really hope someone can help.

Kind Regards

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

You may find it useful to have a chat with cab, welfare rights officer or give the FMA UK benefits helpline a call. 0300 333 0055 Mon & Fri 10.00-12.00

[fjh29 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you for your advice I will contact CAB, I really appreciate your reply.

[fjh29]

Thank you, I'm overwhelmed with all your replies, I can't phone DWP again one call handler said to me” you're on the phone every day” so I'm scared to phone now. So I will phone CAB, I just need someone to explain because I'm worried about being overpaid.

Kind Regards

[bluebell99]

Please don't get upset or confused, often the DWP do not know what they are doing, and their advice cannot always be relied upon.

When you ring the CAB you may be asked to make an appointment. I would advise you to gather up all your paperwork and see someone in person as they may not get the gist of what is happening over the phone, especially if you get upset.

It is very worrying I know, I was threatened with going to court over fraudulently claiming too much ESA going back many months. After a frantic and fearful weekend, (these brown envelopes always seem to come on a Saturday), I phoned and was told they had overpaid me by £1.86 and no they didn't want me to pay it back!

A professional look at all your details and claims should sort you out properly and who knows may be you are entitled to some back payments.

Fingers crossed for you.

[fjh29 in reply to bluebell99]

Yes, of course, you're correct I shouldn't be upset but that's how they're making me feel, I feel stupid asking the same question to not be given an understanding reply, I understand their dealing with lots of calls a day so you eventually feel like you're bothering them, maybe I am but I just need to understand and sort this out. Thank you so much for your help I really appreciate.

Kind Regards

[fjh29]

Thank you so much for your help I honestly appreciate your advice, I will phone tomorrow. I definitely can't phone DWP, it's stressing me out and making me ill.

Kind Regards

[Hidden]

Your pension seems pitiably low

[Rose54]

Hi

If you have been on CBESA that normally doesn't entitle you to Sever Disability Element but if you are on IRESA it does as long as you receive entitlement rate of PIP or DLA .

Thay may be giving you both CBESA and IRESA it does happen sometimes .

Try CAB or phone ESA and request letter of entitlement award .

At least you will have a written record and take it from their .

What thay are saying doesn't make sense at all .

[fjh29 in reply to Rose54]

Thank you so much for your reply, yes I'm on PIP and yes I think I'm on both because they deducted my pension, but when I calculate my benefits I can't find any IRESA now, I'm so confused, I think I used to receive the same amount £73.10 IR with the pension deducted.

Thank you for your advice I will phone and request an entitlement award, that seems a lot better than asking questions because I'm getting nowhere, I appreciate your advice, thank you so much.

Kind Regards

[Jenonnet]

Please don't let them bully you or make you feel guilty for ringing them, it's their job and they get paid for doing it. If they don't know the answer to your query, they should put you onto someone who does know and can explain it in a way you can understand. If you ask them to, they should also send you an explanation in a letter.

Good luck, CAB will help as they have experts from all fields there, the only problem is that they're so busy you may have to wait a time for an appointment. If you can't get through on the phone, go and make an appointment in person. All the best, let us know how you get on please. Sending good luck hugs ((💕))

[Millie2010]

Hi, I presume you on are contributionary ESA? You are allowed £120 a week and savings, however you must remain in support group-

If you are on ESA income related some of your money may drop a little bit ESA will not be stopped. They are gradually introducing Universal credit to replace income related ESA but are having problems at the moment. As you have sent the information to them by recorded delivery, try not too worry. The people that answer the phone are really not in the best position to give you advice. Everything is better in writing, recorded delivery so it gets to the number crunchers as I call them to work it out. They have a horrible habit of not letting you know and thus we worry ourselves stupid.

If you receive PIP , this has no bearing at all on what you get. If you feel you do not have enough to live on - see citizens advice or some other organisations in your area or admin team here at fibro

[fjh29 in reply to Millie2010]

Hi, thank you for your reply, I phoned welfare rights and they have explained, you're correct ESA C is £120 and the extra monies I receive are ESA IR, so finally it's been sorted, I'm not being overpaid as the Income related benefit has increased so my benefits are correct. Thank you, everyone, for your help, advice and kind words, I really should have phoned CAB in the first instance instead of DWP, but never mind I have sorted, once again thank you.

Kind regards

[Millie2010 in reply to fjh29]

I’ve been in the same boat sweetie and I nearly did something to intentionally endangering my life; so I felt compelled to write; I am so glad you finally feel relief, xx