Can anyone help with ESA?

beccymelody

Hi all, it's 11:25 pm and I'm very anxious about an unexpected interview at the jobcentre tomorrow. After sending my first fit note to the job centre to look into the capability to work element, I've been called in for an interview to agree a claimant commitment for ESA.

I get so nervous about the unknown especially as I have never been through this process before.

Firstly, does this mean I have made enough national insurance contributions and I need to do a claimant commitment before they make a decision on my entitlement or, is this checked after the interview?

Secondly, after deductions etc I get £174 UC. If I am entitled to ESA could I potentially be better or worse off as I know ESA is deducted from UC entitlement.

Thirdly, it doesn't say it on the letter but should I take my latest diagnosis letter as a precaution?

I find it all so confusing. Unfortunately along with my physical disability, I suffer with terrible anxiety. So many roads are closed round here at the moment so I'm worried about getting there, where will park? Will the lady conducting the interview be nice? Will I get judged? I get so many looks being in my early 40s with a walking stick😔

Sorry for the long post

poppy123456

It will be a very quick appointment and nothing to worry about at all. Your commitments will just be to agree to report any changes. You do not need to take any medical evidence with you.

This appointment doesn't mean you're entitled to payments for New style ESA. That will depend on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years as I advised on your other thread.

It often takes up to about 4 weeks, sometimes longer to receive a decision letter on your claim. In that letter it will tell you if there's any entitlement to payments.

If entitled to payments then the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement, as you know. This could mean that your UC would be reduced to zero but it will depend on your partners earnings each month.

New style ESA is £90.50/week, paid fortnightly (assessment rate) so you would be better off than you would be just claiming UC. This is because the ESA isn't means tested and isn't affected by your partners earnings.

As for the looks you get from using your stick then please try not to worry about that. It maybe just you being anxious about using it. I started using my stick when I was younger than you and remember feeling exactly the same way. Fast forward more than a decade later it's now part of my life and can't go anywhere without it.

beccymelody

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/899356#Comment_899356

Thank you so much for your reply. I guess my issue is the unknown and I really appreciate you putting my mind at ease. I'm still grieving my old self and finding it hard to adjust aswell as trying to function as a mum.

poppy123456

You're welcome. Yes, fear of the unknown is always the worst. You will adjust eventually but it will take time.

beccymelody

The interview went really well and the woman was very kind. She was under the impression that my NI contributions had already been checked hence way they wanted me to attend an claimant commitment interview but we will see what happens.

Adrian_Scope

Thanks for updating us @beccymelody and I'm glad to hear it went well.

poppy123456

Glad it went well. A claimant commitments appointment can be sent even if you don't have the correct NI contributions. This is because if you don't have them then your claim can continue and remain as a NI credits only claim based on limited capability for work, if found to have this once the decision is made on your assessment.

For this reason this appointment is no indication that you're entitled to payments.