How many of us are scared of the dwp?
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They want all of us income related ESA claimants to move across to this “modern benefit system” yet, these “teething problems” exist. I have no trust in the DWP to sort out the problems before my turn comes.
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Get them fixed for goodness’ sake. Don’t just acknowledge that there are issues. All of these negative experiences that claimants have kindly shared online, it fills me with so much fear. 😧
These “teething problems” - they’re happening right now!
This is why I have such a big desire to be left alone for months to come. I want to remain on wonderful, wonderful ❤️ income-related ESA for as long as possible. Every day that goes by without getting that letter, telling me that it’s my turn to move across, it’s such a blessing.0 -
I am staying too prepare for the transition by keeping my bank statements for four months. Then, if I am ever asked to provide them for any review, be it uc or council. I will have them ready.
I am also closing an account, as it will be simpler to just have one that the council won't query everytime!
It's not going to be straightforward because people on pip or other benefits that aren't monthly, will still find it harder to budget?
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I will be in receipt of more money 💶 on UC but sadly these “teething problems” fill me with a lot of fear and some ESA claimants have experienced them already. I really feel for them. None of us claimants in the Support Group should be asked for fit notes, none of us should be told that we must have another WCA when we don’t need one.
I have read these negative experiences from those who have already had that “migration notice” 🙀😧 and I take notice of them. These negative experiences can’t be ignored imo. They’re happening right now. I absolutely can’t rule out going through what they’ve been through, even well into next year. I can’t rule out these “teething problems” still being around well into 2025.0 -
It's not teething problems, its the policy of their higher ups to purposefully make it hard on you and **** you off, otherwise they'd be out of the job, their job could be automated then, as it doesn't require any intelligence.
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My PIP claim was pretty traumatic, and most of it was unnecessary as I was going from permanent DLA with a lifelong condition and it should have been as simple as transferring me from one to the other. It should not have gone to tribunal.
I think I would rather not have interaction with the DWP that isn't entirely necessary. So I have told them detail changes like phone number etc, that's important. But I haven't bothered to tell them that I haven't had my Christmas bonus in 3 years, because it feels like it will just lead to more hassle I don't need.
I am afraid of them in the sense that I don't want to have to fight for my rights again. So overall, I would definitely tell them about important changes in personal details. Perhaps fortunately, my condition is permanent and lifelong, and not likely to change, so changes in other ways are not really likely for me. But I admit, I would worry about contacting them if I had a worsening condition, in case it put me back through that whole process again.
I still have anxiety when a letter from the DWP arrives, even if it's just the April notification of new rates.
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No, this isn't the case for everyone. Some that claim UC do not have any TP included and some already have LCWRA when the migrate across.
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You are correct, a PIP award doesn't affect UC in a bad way. Actually in some cases it can increase your UC.
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sorry I am asking a lot of questions, I get pip but it doesn’t make me better off as it is deducted from my uc as the same amount, and my daughter DLA is as well so how can it make some people be better off?
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I'm sorry but some of this information in the first paragraph that isn't correct. Contributions based ESA Support Group and New style ESA Support Group has no end it. It's only time limited to 1 year if placed into the WRAG.
Some people claiming CB ESA will be entitled to the Income Related top up but this doesn't end the CB ESA claim. The ESA will be known as Income Related but the real term is known as CB with an Income Related top up.
Some people will not be entitled to the Income Related top up so their ESA remains only as CB.
New style ESA has no income Related top up because there's no disability premiums payable with this.
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Like others, I had to 'migrate' to PIP following an indefinite award of DLA. I have a genetic disorder, which is obviously also 'lifelong.'
I didn't have, & still don't have, any fear concerning the DWP. I think possibly the difficulty is that you just can't compare the criteria for DLA & PIP, so there was never going to be 'just' a simple transfer from one to the other. What can be difficult is actually understanding the criteria.
With PIP, if a claimant has a worsening condition, then always seek advice, as this would not necessarily result in an award/a higher award, & if it wouldn't, then no, do not put in for a 'change of circumstances,' as you'd likely have to complete a new claim form, go through another assessment, etc. You do not otherwise have to report a worsening condition, a new diagnosis nor a change in your medication.
Hopefully here on this forum is where help can be found in understanding the criteria for different benefits. We should also know that statistically claimants have a more overall positive experience, so reading about negative comments elsewhere shouldn't stop people here asking for help, listening to considered advice, as well as looking at any helpful links provided which are always worth reading.
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every time I speak to them I end up crying! They made me attend job coach interviews when I’ve been very unwell, I’ve even thrown up in their office when I’ve had a severe headache and stiff neck/ photophobiadue to my brain injury/ hydrocephalus/ high intercranial pressure.
im very worried about the future. I’m still quite ill a few years down the line.the white paper that’s going through parliament at the moment where they’re making disabled people go back to work is giving me sleepless nights. I know I wouldn’t be able to hold down a job. I was badly bullied in my last job…..and I have a lot of difficulty managing my stress levels.
Last time I claimed universal credit they took a whole year to pay me…..they’re going to transfer me back to UC soon.
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Please refer back to your thread because help is being given on there.
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Nobody transfered, it was a completely new benefit with the idea of making cut backs. I was indefinite on DLA, but lost the care as they decided my condition could improve.
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I like this forum as any misinformation is corrected. Elsewhere it can be outdated and not moderated. I have got things incorrect.
What is plain to see is how complex the benefit system is and it's no wonder that the staff at the dwp make mistakes and the claimants have no clues either.
I read about benefits going unclaimed, but I don't read about the letters that get sent out that say you maybe entitled to this. (apart from the migration from esa to uc and dla to pip)
If they know the benefit is unclaimed, surely they must know how qualifies for it. Maybe putting the legacy benefits together will help with that/stop fraud for those playing the system.
I have a new diagnosis, but it's nothing to do with my pip claim. It hasn't made my existing one worse, so it won't make any difference to the original award.
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nothing of the kind….
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no no and no….
That should explain the reality of the situation?
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It would be impossible for DWP to send out letters telling anyone their entitlement to any benefits because how would their know anyone’s circumstances?
For means tested benefits they first have to meet the criteria and there’s a lot of things to consider, such as do you work, have capital, live alone, with a partner, have dependent children, receiving any pensions etc. it’s not as simple as one size fits all.
There’s no automatic entitlement to any means tested benefits. Same applies to disability benefits such as PIP, DLA, ADP and AA, unless you have a terminal diagnosis of 12 months or less left to live.
I will come back later to respond to the title of the thread.
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Having seen this subject under “New conversation” I thought I’d join to see if I could help or encourage. 5 pages later, I hadn’t realised there was so much fear and anger out there. I, like most of you, get anxious until the letter arrives saying if you’ve been successful or not with your claim. During my life (I’m 71) I’ve had to claim just about every benefit because I cared for my mum for 10 years until she died and am still looking after my grandson who I brought up from birth and is now 23.😀. I’m now disabled with about 10 different illnesses and disabilities which I won’t bother you with. My advice to you all is don’t worry. I know from experience that worry doesn’t change anything. Try to live at peace with yourself and the world and do something that makes you happy every day. I think it’s probably safe to say we’ve all got mobile phones and it costs nothing to phone the benefits enquiry line. I’ve always found them most helpful. I’ve even filled in forms with them over the phone. The golden rule when filling out PIP forms and similar forms relating to disability is “how do I feel/cope on my worst days”. I found that works. I do forget to tell people of changes in my personal circumstances but as soon as I remember I dash off a letter or email. When my grandson was unemployed for a couple of months. He had to claim UC. I sat with him while he did it and helped him generally. Find someone to help you - this place is a good start. There are organisations that will help you fill in benefits forms. Another golden rule - don’t go through applying for anything on your own. Get help unless you are confident you’ll get it right. Another golden rule - don’t try and fill out those 40 page benefit forms in one go. It took 2 weeks recently for me to help my relatives when filling out a DLA form- and they’re both highly paid professionals used to this sort of thing. They were overwhelmed and I was able to help them do some research about how to fill in the form and they ended up getting high rate for their autistic son. I hope this helps. The benefits people are humans like us and they do make mistakes and sometimes don’t treat you in the best possible way but you will get what you’re entitled to in the end. It just takes patience and perseverance. Hope this helps and encourages you.
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I found this on the government website. It looks like they've not long added this to their guidance list. 14March 2024.
Seems to be a lot of updates looking through the documents.
- Added that if you are entitled to either the limited capability for work (LCW) payment or the limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payment, and the carer’s amount, you will not receive both amounts. Instead you will receive the larger of those 2 amounts.
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