Next week what do I do?

FOXBAZ69

Hi guys.

Hope you are all doing well, all things considered.

So I have been off work in ESA support group since 2017, originally through a Court/Tribunal process. They instantly struck me off work as being completely unfit, despite ESA awarding me ZERO points. Anyway, ESA did concur in 2021 at a later medical. I also get full PIP care and mobility…..

So I've just transferred over to UC. It was all explained in the journal by me that I am in the support group of ESA and that my partner cares 24/7 for me, my toilet needs, chopping up my food and getting me dressed etc. Despite this UC insisted on a face to face and only relented after many discussions with them and agreed to phone me.

So they called me today and have still said, despite everything, that I will be getting weekly phone calls and for me to keep my work journal up to date with any job searches etc. I explained that it is my carer who logs in for me as my fingers are useless and painful, and that all this writing is done by her with me dictating, and that unless someone can take a carer to work with them, I'd never be able to use the bathroom, but we will still look at the to do list.

Anyway, these weekly phone calls….is this only until my ESA information filters through? And how long into a claim will this take? And how can I look for a job if I can't use my hands, can't walk, can't stand out of a chair by myself etc…etc.

Do I just comply with the phone calls somehow until my ESA filters through?

Any suggestions? David……..

Thank you all.

OverlyAnxious

This is normal as you are treated as a job seeker until your ESA info gets through. However, your work coach should have turned off your work commitments in these circumstances. Some of them just don't really understand the migration unfortunately. It should only be a few weeks before ESA info gets through. How long ago was it that you started the UC claim?

FOXBAZ69

Hi!!….

My UC claim was made on 16th October, and my first payment will be on 22nd November. I can only check the amounts I will receive on 18th November….

As a side question, if ESA hasn't filtered through by that point, will I receive a lower amount than the transitional protection amount and can I then claim it back to my claim date?

I also don't have much faith in the Job Centre agents reading the Journal, because today I got a phone call stating I am late for my JC appointment. When I explained that in my journal it states a home phone call, and that WAS written by UC themselves, the JC agent wasn't amused. I just don't think he read the Jounal before he called me.

So the ESA information….is it "usually" sorted by the first payment date? And these phone calls are needed until then?

Again many many thanks…..David.

Kimmy87

Yes, the ESA information should be through in time for your first statement.

If it isn't, any monies owed should be calculated automatically by UC and sent through as an additional payment.

As OverlyAnxious advised, until your ESA status is confirmed you are classed as seeking work. Some coaches will turn off commitments, but even then the system makes it mandatory for appointments to be booked until that changes.

When I migrated over my work coach turned off everything she could, but she had to make me another appointment the following week regardless.

That was later cancelled as my status got confirmed.

poppy123456

It’s perfectly normal for it to take a few weeks for ESA to send your details across. It should be done by the time you have your first statement.

FOXBAZ69

Guys…..

Thank you so very much.

The information you have given to me is invaluable.

I really appreciate all your time and effort.

Have an absolutely fantastic week and much love to you all.

David.