ESA

[Numptysod]

I got a boarder, pays rent and has breakfast/ some meals!

ESA have written to me randomly asking about my Boarder/Lodger,
Though have had letters saying I have a boarder?

Now I’m scared that I have ESA removed, and owe them money?

Have you declared the rental income you receive to the DWP?

If it's income related esa then yes there may be a problem. Do you claim housing benefit also ?

Have you included your rental income?

If you did not declare then yes that could happen.
ESA is a means tested benefit so other income in taken in to account.

I informed ESA DWP - wrote letter and informed them boarder was paying £280 month? For years every year when I renewed rules as so be it, Boarder is autistic so a family friend!

Is it income related esa you are claiming or Contributions based ?

I would assume both?

It won’t be both.

If you check the ESA letter it should tell you.

Income related but was saying on calculating that could be allows contributions

You can get both contributions based and income related ESA at the same time. Contributions based ESA will not include any premiums so if you are entitled to those and on a low income your contributions based ESA will be topped up with income related.

Income from boarders is partially disregarded. The first £20/week is not counted as income. 50% of the rest is counted as income.

If you can show you have kept DWP informed of your income from your lodger then any overpayment is likely not recoverable as it will be official error (i.e. their fault).

What does the letter say? It could be they are just checking to make sure they have up to date info.

Why is only 50% of income only taken into account, I thought it was after £20 that all of it would be taken into account?