Contribution based ESA - support group since about 2014

traceypeacock
traceypeacock Community member Posts: 5 Listener
edited December 1 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

I would like to know if I have the right to move over to UC limited work capability. I am on UC I receive a small amount & part of my housing element (esa gets deducted). ESA is paid fortnightly I would just rather it was all in 1 payment. If I can is there something I’d need to say to move like do I need a certain reason. Thankyou

Comments

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Community member Posts: 1,348 Trailblazing

    As your ESA is New Style ESA, it is paid outside of UC.

    The two are separate benefits and administered by different departments.

    New Style ESA cannot be migrated to UC as it's not a legacy income related benefit.

  • traceypeacock
    traceypeacock Community member Posts: 5 Listener

    hi thanks for the reply I don’t think I’m on new style esa

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,781 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/949009#Comment_949009

    It definitely is because once you claim UC ESA contributions based reverts to New style ESA.

  • traceypeacock
    traceypeacock Community member Posts: 5 Listener

    ok thankyou I’m so confused so if I had to come off esa because I took a job doing 22 hours would that just mean I came off esa & get nothing ? Thankyou much appreciated for the responses

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,781 Championing

    No, it would mean there will no longer be any deductions in your UC for the ESA. UC continues but there'll be a deduction for earnings above the work allowance.

    As you're claiming for help with the rent your work allowance will be £404/month. For every £1 of earnings received above that amount your UC will reduce by 55p.

    If you start working you must report the changes to UC and ESA. ESA will end if you work 16 hours or more per week.

  • traceypeacock
    traceypeacock Community member Posts: 5 Listener

    final question honestly lol so would my limited capability support group extra money stay(where normally it is deducted & paid by esa & be paid on top of my standard rate , housing & be paid by UC instead with deductions because of the hours I will be working ? I’m just struggling to know whether to take the plunge after years of being signed off for life effectively thankyou

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,781 Championing

    As you're in the Support Group for ESA your UC should also include the LCWRA element, rather than LCW. This will continue as normal and be included in your statements, as well as the standard allowance, housing element and any other elements you're entitled to.

    The only difference will be your ESA will stop due to working 16+ hours per week and that deduction of £598.86/month from UC will no longer apply.

    Do be aware though, if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming LCWRA then it could go against you when you have your next review. Though people do work and continue to receive this.

  • traceypeacock
    traceypeacock Community member Posts: 5 Listener

    thanks poppy new to this forum & you’ve been a great help. What do I need to say to UC to make that change over so I speak to them first & then esa if accept the job ? I think this sort of work should be ok x

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,781 Championing

    You're welcome. You don't need to do anything until you start work. Once you do you need to ring ESA and tell them you're working X amount of hours and your ESA will end.

    For UC if you have access to a journal everything can be done on there. Log in and click report a change of circumstances. Then click work and earnings and report your hours this way.

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