HB and the ESA top up payments

Apologies if this question is stupid…

Is the ESA top up to protect old IB rates disregarded for HB purposes?

Hi -

The top-up or transitional addition of ESA is not disregarded as income for HB/CTB purposes.  Instead a transitional addition is paid within the applicable amount for HB/CTB so that the person does not lose out in HB/CTB when they move on to ESA.  (Reg. 22 (f) HB Regs).  The addition is necessary where the “old” HB/CTB award which included the disability premium, would have been more generous than the “new” HB/CTB paid with a relevant component