ESA Back Payment Help Needed

Nate123

Hi, I'm new here and in need of advice.

A couple of years ago, I had a UC assessment, because of my chronic back issues, as I'm unable to work full time. This is a joint UC with my partner and we have 3 children. I recieved my decision which stated I have LCW not LCWRA, this means we didn't get any extra money but my disability was recognised. I then was successful in claiming PIP. A friend suggested claiming ESA too. I started my ESA claim in February 2024 and had it backdated to November 2023, the 3 month maximum. I have been receiving £181 every fortnight. A few weeks ago I had my ESA assessmentand on 13th September I had a decision letter in my UC journal. It stated that I have LCWRA, which translates to the Support Group on ESA. A week later the LCWRA element was included within our UC payment. A few days later I recieved my next ESA payment which was still £181 instead of £276, which would be my increased payment from being in the support group. I rang ESA who told me for some reason it hadn't been put into payment. They told me this would be done and my future payments would be correct and the back payment would be calculated. I then recieved a phone call from ESA a few days later and they told me that they were just checking with UC, as to why they didn't action the ESA side of things when they actioned the UC side of things, as it's a dual claim. After that, everything should be sorted out. Today I received a random payment of £95, however, my ESA fortnightly payment isn't due until Friday and £95 is too low an amount for it to be my back payment. I rang them today and the agent confused me so much. He said, after being on hold for a long time and him speaking with UC directly, that the £95 is the backpayment. This is because the decision to put me into the support group was made in September and the back pay will only be from that date. I tried explaining that I've been claiming ESA from November 2023 and I should recieve back pay from the 13th week after November 2023, up until the decision. He told me that's not the case as ESA and UC work together. I really don't understand what's going on here. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Update: After being on the phone to them again, they are saying this is a re assessment, or something along those lines, but I've never had an ESA assessment before. The UC and PIP assessments were a while ago and obviously for different benefits. I'm so confused.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Nate123 and welcome to the community. This is something I'm still learning about so I'd have to look into it for you. Your post will be 'bumped' up now so hopefully someone with the knowledge will be able to help you more quickly!

Kimi87

The PIP isn't relevant here.

You were awarded UC LCW following a WCA a few years ago.

You then applied for ESA.

You were then awarded UC LCWRA following another WCA September 2024.

Your ESA then increased from the date of that decision, which is correct.

A decision on the 2024 assessment doesn't retrospectively change the previous WCA decision, therefore the backpay counts from September 2024.

Once you get both ESA & UC, any assessment process is then twinned, one WCA for both benefits.

Nate123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/917282#Comment_917282

This is exactly what I was hoping for. Clear advice and you're mirroring the letter Iver just received today. Thanks for the response! You sure know exactly what youre talking about. Thanks again

Kimi87

I appreciate the reply 🙂

I try not to comment unless I'm quite confident what I'm saying is correct.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/917564#Comment_917564

I read some of your comments and you give really good advice. Please don't be afraid to comment, we all have to learn and none of us are experts. I've made plenty of mistakes on here over the years and been corrected too.

To be honest, it's nice to have some help and I appreciate it so thank you for that. Also thank you to @OverlyAnxious who also gives really good advice!