ESA and UC

Arcadia101

Hi everyone. I was claiming ESA until July 2024 and my payments were stopped as I missed a WCA appointment. I resubmitted this claim in August and have been claiming UC since then also. I had another WCA in December and have been awarded LCWRA. Does anyone know if I will receive backdated ESA payments from the date of my claim? TIA

poppy123456

For the ESA claim where payments stopped, if you were found fit for work for failing to attend the WCA then this award will not be backdated prior to your new claim for ESA. For this to be backdated you would need to challenge that decision that found you fit for work.

The waiting period for extra money for ESA is 13 weeks and the extra money is then paid from the 14th week after your new claim started.

For UC the LCWRA element there's a full 3 month assessment period waiting time. The extra money is then paid from the 4th month after you provided your first fit note, with first payment being the end of that month. It's not paid at all during this waiting period.

When this is paid from will depend on the answers to the following questions.

1/ What date do you usually receive your money each month?

2/ What date exactly did you provide your first fit note?

3/ Did you continue to provide fit notes the whole time without any gaps?

Arcadia101

I receive uc on the 19th of each month.

I have submitted fit notes to ESA from Jan 24 without any gaps.

You may have misunderstood my original question, I’m wanting to know if ESA will be paid from the date I submitted the claim which was Aug24. They have my fit notes and my WCA report.

poppy123456

You said you submitted a new claim for ESA in August because payments stopped. My advice is correct if you were found fit for work for the previous ESA claim when payments stopped. For this reason the 13 weeks wait will start from the date of your 2nd claim.

What date exactly did you provide your first fit note for UC?

Arcadia101

ah, so I’ll receive the lower rate for the first 13 weeks and the higher rate after that paid from when I made the claim?

My first UC fit note was submitted in June.

poppy123456

For ESA its assessment rate for 13 weeks and then the Support Group rate from the 14th week after your claim started.

For the fit note for UC there’s 30 days in June and I need the exact date. Also if your claim for UC started in August how could you have provided a fit note in in June.

I can’t advise you without all the information.