New style esa and letter for a telephone call

Dawny123456

Hello Can I ask for some advice on what to expect from a telephone call this week. I've been on dla/pip since 2001 and incapacity which changed to esa support group.

I'm having to change over from tax credits to universal credit. I received a letter on Saturday giving me details of what I will receive each week. But today received a text and a message on my Universal Credit journal saying I'm getting a phone call this week . At the interview I will need to agree and accept your claimant commitment?

What does all this mean? I've been on esa in the support group for years now and haven't had to send any sick notes in for a very long time. This change over to universal is really stressing me. And now receiving this mess for a interview. What will they ask me.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

As you get NS ESA alongside UC, you do have to accept commitments for both of them. The commitment for NS ESA will just be to inform them of any changes in future, and for UC is just to check the journal regularly and inform them of any changes.

It should be a very simple call, though it is frustrating that NS ESA is still not accessible to people who cannot use phones.

Dawny123456

Oh thank you for your reply, honestly I've never been so stressed in all my life. Just thought it would be a case of just stopping everything over. I'm not sleeping which I don't do much anyway due to be in pain and get cant get comfy. I can't believe you have to wait as well for up to 5 weeks as well before you get any money. Says first payment will be the 21st November. So not had any Tax credits for 2 weeks now.

poppy123456

If part of your ESA was Income Related this will continue for 2 weeks and then stop. If you were also claiming housing benefit this will continue for 2 weeks. Therefore you won’t be without money for 5 weeks.

It’s correct that Tax credits stop once your claim For UC was submitted.

New style ESA will be paid fortnightly at £138.20/week.. £276.40/fortnightly. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement, which will be £598.86/month.

You do not need to provide any fit notes for UC. If you haven’t already then put a message onto your journal and tell them you were in the Support Group for ESA. You’ll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

You can ask for an advance payment from UC but this needs to be repaid back and your future UC payments will be reduced.

Once ESA send your details across everything will become less stressful.

Dawny123456

I received my esa last monday so it wont be due till next week .I was in the support group on esa yes and some was contribution i dont understand it all if honest. I sent a final sick note in years ago and not had to ever send anymore in since. It says on my journal that i