ESA (income related) VS pension credit... pros & cons?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Good day... I have been claiming income-related ESA for a while due to a long term disability. Jobcentreplus has just contacted me to ask if I want to switch to pension credit in November. I gather PC pays more than ESA, but are there any advantages to opting to staying on ESA? I thought I'd ask, rather than jumping to any assumptions. Many thanks for any advice.
JD
0 likes, 9 replies
les59996 jim68369
Posted
I don't know about the Income Based ESA, but would assume that they would pay the same.
I claimed Contribution Based ESA right up until my 65th birthday in 2013 along side a top up of Pension Credit. I could also have just claimed Pension Credit, but in doing so I felt that whilst still of working age (up to 65) I should continue with a working age benefit claim (ESA) Some would jump at the chance to avoid the ESA assessments and re-assessments and just claim Pension Credit but I felt that it was playing the system.
I could have claimed both Contribution and Income Based ESA as a top up as when I looked at the figures both paid out the same - (Pension Credit v ESA Contribution + Income Based)
sukes jim68369
Posted
Hello Jim,
I'm sorry I've no idea, but I'm sure some of the lovely people on this site will be able to help.
anthony97723 jim68369
Posted
Hi Jim
Pension Credit gives you a guaranteed income of £155.60pw. Therefore if your IR ESA is less than this amount you would be better off claiming PC.
jim68369 anthony97723
Posted
Thanks. That was my initial assumption. I just wondered if there were any hidden caveats or not-so-obvious drawbacks of ceasing ESA and switching to PCs.
ivan17274 jim68369
Posted
if you need my opinion Jim Antony is spot on. income related esa is £102 a week. PC is £150. no brainier. I know because I was on esa. mums on PC. I joke with her saying I can't wait get her age.
jim68369 ivan17274
Posted
Okay - thank you! I have gone ahead and initiated my claim for PC. My ESA was about £125 pw and I gather my PC will be £155. So on the face of it, it looks like a no-brainer, as you said. Apart from the much-neede extra support, the main attraction for me will be no more occasional reassessment for work-capability. Just this alone will improve my peace of mind by at least 100%!
Cheers,
JD
anthony97723 jim68369
Posted
Jim not as far as I'm aware it's simply income support for the over 60's which happens to guarantee a better income
jim68369 anthony97723
Posted
JD
ivan17274 jim68369
Posted
like you say Jim peace of mind counts for a lot. as I say used be on esa but took me off it when discovered my £ 5 million in Caymans. ho hum. can't think why it upset them.