Confused about UC and ESA!

Luna23

Hi, new here sorry if I'm doing this wrong and hello

I'm going to start claiming UC and I have a fit note so I need to claim for LCW I think is that right? Anyway when I claim UC what does ESA have to do with it do I have to claim that as well? I thought it was supposed to be all 1 thing under UC now? Sorry if that doesn't make sense and thank you

poppy123456

The only ESA that’s possible to claim now is New style ESA. You will only be entitled to payments from this if you’ve worked at some point the previous 2 tax years.

UC is means tested and entitlement depends on your circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’re excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple.

If you claim you will need to report your health condition, supported by a fit note. You will then be referred for a work capability assessment (usually on about day 29 of your claim) for some conditions it’s day one. Once you've been through the work capability assessment if found to have LCWRA you will be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim. LCWRA is the equivalent of ESA a support Group. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

There’s no ESA included with UC because that’s a separate benefit. 

If you claim New style ESA at the same time it will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. 

Luna23

Thanks Poppy, yes I've been working more than 10 years so will claim ESA then. I have no savings 

So I'll do a claim for UC and ESA separately can I do both claims online to get things started? x

poppy123456

Yes both can be claimed online. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#how-to-apply

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

You will only need one work capability assessment. 

If you’re claiming SSP from an employer then you can’t claim ESA at the same time. 

Luna23

ok thanks. Just one more thing, is there anything better (for me) to claim ESA then to just claim UC on its own? the benefits calculator says they take the whole ESA amount off the UC anyway

poppy123456

Also you will receive class 1 NI credits with ESA but only class 3 for UC. Any pensions of up to £85/week are ignored for ESA but for UC they reduce it £1 for £1.

Yes it’s deducted in full from any UC entitlement as I advised above. 
Definitely still worth claiming it! 

Luna23

Perfect thanks Poppy. No chance of coming in to money I've never even played the lottery lol and can't see me saving 16k on benefits 

poppy123456

You never know what may happen in the future. There’s many people that have wished they claimed a contributions based benefit like New style ESA but didn’t know they could, until it was too late. 

Luna23

Yes I get what you're saying, thanks l will do that