Will my ESA be ending?

Abbie65

So sorry, I knew nothing about the ESA migration and had no letter. I receive ESA contribution based fortnightly I also receive higher rate PIP I don’t claim any other benefits apart from those. I struggle as it is will my ESA be ending in Sept now?

Many thanks

poppy123456

Contributions based ESA is not part of UC and neither is PIP. As you're not claiming any other benefits you will not be migrated across.

You would only migrate across if part of your ESA is Income Related. If your ESA payments are more than £138.20/week then at least part of it is Income Related and you will be invited to apply between now and end of Dec 2025.

Abbie65

Thank you so much I read this about payments stopping in September got into a panic Thank you again for your help I’m so grateful

poppy123456

You're welcome. There's an awful lot of misinformation out there especially from Newspapers, I usually refer to is as "click bait" best thing to do is not to read it.

Jimm_Alumni

As Poppy says a lot of it is sensational to try and get you to click on it. It plays on your fears and anger, as those are the two most likely things to get you to click.

Abbie65

Many thanks I really appreciate it

Lozzza_333

Hi all, I have migrated over to UC last month. I was in receipt of contribution based Esa with an added income top up and disability extra (sdp i think).

From my understanding I will still receive the CB ESA but the income based and support group will fall under UC.
My first payment through UC is all wrong and Im yet to speak to anyone as they ignore journal messages and dont call back when they say they will.

However, I received a call today from the job centre saying she covers the ESA part and asked me to attend an appointment to agree to a new commitment for my CB ESA. Is this right?

Does this mean they are moving me to new style? I don’t understand what it’s for. I have been on CB ESa for 14yrs. Income based top up since sept 2023.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/913865#Comment_913865

Your ESA will revert to New style because you've claimed UC. Yes, you need to agree to your commitments which will be to report all changes and that's it. This can done as a telephone appointment, if you can't attend in person.

What exactly is wrong with your UC payment? It's not usual for Transitional Protection (TP) not to be calculated in time for your first payment. This is because the benefits departments that were paying your money before you moved across do not always send UC the figures in time for them to calculate the TP. When this happens they usually do it within a couple of weeks.

Please also note that the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. Your ESA payment will be £138.20/week, paid fortnightly. The amount deducted from UC will be £598.86/month. This is because ESA is a weekly benefit and UC is monthly so they need to work out the monthly payment. £138.20 x 52, then divide by 12.

Lozzza_333

Why am I being moved over to New style Esa and not staying on contribution based? I know they are essentially the same but I thought with New style you are not entitled to the income top up/ support group? Why do I need to lose my legacy CB esa?

I have read I shouldn’t have any commitments under regulation 19 due to LCWRA?

My first payment has several issues. They haven’t added LCWRA, adding bedroom tax when we are overcrowded, not added my 18yr old disabled son on due to him being home educated and not understanding the process, and they having added transitional protection.

Child benefit is being paid for my son until 2026. UC asked me a question about Home education and I answer it quoting their own laws. They disappeared ever since (5 weeks). No one answers my journal or calls back.

Im worried because now they are asking me to sign a new style agreement but I dont see why it’s necessary. I feel like it will further mess things up and possibly creat a ‘change’

I have attached the screen shot

Emilee

Your commitments will be the same as what they were on ESA, i.e to report all changes and check your account regularly.

Lozzza_333

but I am still on ESA as the CB is paid separately from UC so why do I need to agree a new commitment. Wouldn’t it scrape my legacy benefits and rights and move me to the new style with new terms?

Emilee

Your CB will be moved to New Style ESA as you have claimed Universal Credit.

Your commitments haven't changed, they just ask you to agree to them. Everyone has a commitment to report changes to their circumstances, in the same way they were to on legacy benefits.

Lozzza_333

Ive just received a letter in the post confirming they are moving me from CB ESA to New style ESA which explains things a little clearer. I thought New style doesn’t entitle you to an income top up or disability premiums so will it affect me receiving it through UC?

Also why do I need to move over? I thought only new claimants are put on New style but if CB esa you just stay the same?

Emilee

You've been moved over because you submitted a claim for Universal Credit. It's essentially the same as CB ESA.

You are still receiving income-related top up in the form of LCWRA, it's just from UC now instead of ESA. You should also have transitional protection calculated and added to your claim, making up for any difference between disability premiums and your UC amount.

You are correct they need to sort your LCWRA and it sounds like they haven't yet fixed your TP.

How long has your son been home educated for? It can be difficult to have them accept child element for a home educated 18-year-old.

poppy123456

As I explained in my previous comment, it’s not unusual for your first payment of UC to be incorrect. This is because the benefits departments that were paying your previous benefits most likely haven’t sent the figures across to UC.

When this happens they usually recalculate your statement within a couple of weeks. I’ve seen it happy many times.

For the child element it’s most likely because they haven’t been able to confirm he’s home educated.

They putting a message onto your journal under service issues and hopefully a case manager will see it.

Lozzza_333

Maybe once I have done the new style commitment they will sort the rest of the payments correctly. It’s so frustrating not being able to talk to anyone.

My son has been home educated since he was 11yrs old. They cant refuse as it is classed as an accepted form of eduction and their own laws state it doesn’t require proof, has to be more then 12hrs per week and the other benefit systems had and have accepted it. Its just annoying having go wait whilst each advisor needs guidance and confirmation but it never does.