What's the difference between income related ESA and contribution ESA?

[Tinky41]

Hi would anyone know why we have to pay for our prescriptions when on contribution esa but not when on income related esa? Thank you

[Carolinee71]

Hi that's easy, for the contribution ESA, you get the payments no matter how much money you have coming into your household. As in if your other half ( if you have one) works you still get the ESA payment along with, if you have money in the bank or are getting money from anywhere else

But you can only get contribution based ESA for a year unless you are put in the support group. Once your year is up you will have to claim again for the income based one.

With the income based ESA you can not really have any other money coming in, as it is a mean tested benefit

So you only have the ESA to live on,( you can get other benefits , along with income based ESA. I get housing benefit, child benefit and child tax credit ,) so you don't pay for prescriptions because you would not be able to afford to pay for them anyway

Just in case you didn't guess I get the income related one.

Caroline x

[Tinky41 in reply to Carolinee71]

Hi Caroline71, thank you for replying back to me, yes I was getting contribution ESA and I was having to pay for my prescription card but I have just had my new claim sorted which is for income related so how comes naw I'm on that I don't have to pay for my prescriptions? Is it cause of low income? Is there a time limit to be on income related do you know? I have revived my letter yet , I can't understand why I was put on contribution ESA first has I don't get any other benefits only at the time contribution and naw income related, thank you

[Carolinee71]

You will always be put on contribution based to start with if you have been working and paid enough NI payments. It is when this has run out you are moved on to income based. It is done this way so that if you are marred and your other half is working you are still able to get this benefit for a year ( think its because you would of paid in so are entitled to get something back)

As far as i know there is no fixed time you can be on ESA income based. The reason you don't pay for prescriptions is that you are classed as being on low income.

So it would seem you are in the same position as me . I have had my ATOS medical. Failed then appealed now in the work activity ESA group income based but I am going to appeal again to be put in the support group, just waiting a week so I get my back ESA at the higher rate .

Hope you have already passed your medical. If not good luck

Caroline x

[Tinky41 in reply to Carolinee71]

Thank you for your comments thay have been very helpful, I haven't got a partner and I live on my own, I haven't been asked to go to a medical yet has I went last year before I went on contribution based and passed but I'm sure thay will send me again, can't beleave I'm only getting £8 less and naw don't have to pay for prescriptions, I'm still waiting for letter so not sure what income thay put me on , thank you again

[Midori]

It is surprising just how many folk can get Free Prescriptions etc., but don't know where to get the info from. As your Pharmacist for Form HC1, fill it in and send it. Most folk on Benefits have a low enough income to qualify, even those working should give it a try, it gives you free dental and eye tests too.

Cheers, Midori

[fibro]

its very sad for people who have a lot of items on their prescriptions, but because their OH works and it sonly fractionally above the level of 'low income' gets no housing benefit etc, because OH earnings go just fractionally above level, so the partner who isn't working but has 8 or 9 items on prescription, still has to pay for them, or basically live in excess pain. So a household where one of the two works can be overall be so much worse off.

I know they can get the annual prepayment card but they still have to pay up for it.

I really think the whole system is unfair and people who work, or at least someone in the house hold works, should not be penalised just because they are on low earnings but are not regarded as such because they go a pound or two of the level.

I see where the benefits system needs revamping. they say it pays to be in work, but over all someone who isn't working can be better off at the end of the week than someone who is working

[she33]

i feel sorry for all of you that have to pay for prescriptions i get all mine free as does everyone in scotland and i would get them free as i have thyroid problems. I couldnt imagine how much it would cost as i have 8 items at a time to get.

[jayjayboy]

In Scotland we dont pay for any prescriptions no matter what benefit or if you are working or not,which I am glad about as I have about 10 items on mine and get the repeat every 2 months. I didnt think any-one had to pay for prescriptions, I thought they were free for everyone. I would never be able to get the medication needed if I had to pay

[Tinky41 in reply to jayjayboy]

Wish it was but its not over here I was on ESA last year so I had to pay £10.40 every month for a prescription card as I have about 20 different things and every two to four weeks I get them out so could never pay for all that but naw I'm on the income related ESA so naw don't have to pay thank god cause naw it's classed a low income

[Blonde1]

We don't pay for prescriptions here is Wales either ...