Esa new claim

berry61
berry61 Online Community Member Posts: 178 Contributor
Hi hope everyone is keeping well.

 I'm looking for advice regarding claiming esa for the first time.

We have received our 1st UC payment since managed migration from WTC. Myself and my wife are both in receipt of pip both the standard daily living and standard mobility. We are both receiving the carers element on our UC assessment as well as an amount for transitional protection.

I've just had a major shoulder operation last Saturday 16th March and have a fitnote from the hospital for an initial 6 weeks, but I know after speaking with the consultant the sickness period  will probably be the full 26week term as I'm not allowed to lift anything heavy for a long period and my job involves heavy manual work. 

I've reported the fitnote on my journal with the details of illness etc  and start and end dates, which has been accepted and I've been informed to keep the fitnote in case UC want to see it.
What happens next with regards a work capability assessment or when & how do I need to claim esa.
Also  If I am successful claiming esa how would any withdrawal of a lump sum from my personal pension affect any benefits we receive i.e UC and pip,  I havent taken any amount at the moment from my personal pension, but the new tax year will be starting soon and if I only receive ssp could I supplement that with a lump sum withdrawal ( not a regular monthly amount)
I'm 62 and don't receive state pension until 67. We don't have any savings above £2000 as I have reported to UC during the transition.

Thank you for any help with this matter , I just don't want to make any mistakes during the process.

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