ESA to UC migration letter.

rp0290

Hello all, I'm new here.

I've been on ESA since 2010 and have received full enhanced care PIP since 2015, with a review in 2021. During this review, the decision maker stated that I should have received enhanced mobility from 2015 as well, but backpay could only be awarded from the date the review began, which resulted in a payment of around £1,295. Since then, I’ve been awarded both full enhanced care and mobility until 2028. I’ve only ever had two WCAs, and each time I was placed in the WRAG. Apart from participating in two work-focused interviews in 2014, I’ve had barely any contact with a work coach, except in 2018 and then again in 2023.

In 2023, I was asked to attend the Jobcentre for a short chat with a work coach to sign a renewed claimant commitment. I have ADHD and Asperger's, diagnosed when I was five years old, and I’m now 34. You’ve probably heard it all before, but I suffer from severe anxiety when I have to communicate with strangers. Sometimes, if the anxiety is overwhelming, I am literally unable to speak.

Anyway, back to 2023—my mother or brother accompanies me to all my appointments. The work coach was a nice lady, but I still found it difficult to communicate, so my mother spoke on my behalf. The work coach suggested that she thought I had been placed in the wrong group. My commitments were simply to continue working with doctors, try to go on regular walks with my mother, and visit my brother twice per week.

When I migrate to UC, will I have the opportunity to provide my medical evidence, such as my full PIP award, my mental health records, and my ADHD/Asperger’s diagnosis?

I don’t care in the slightest about receiving extra money. I live a relatively boring life, and what I currently get is enough for me.

I just want to be placed in the correct category.

I've heard many horror stories about UC, and my anxiety has been through the roof since receiving this migration notice (even though I knew it was going to come eventually).

Thanks in advance.

poppy123456

Your PIP award doesn't automatically entitle you to Support Group or LCWRA. Sometimes people claiming ESA who are in the WRAG very rarely have to attend work focused interview.

When you claim UC you will be placed into the equivalent group which will be LCW. What will be expected of your will depend on your claimant commitments. If they expect you to attend in person you could ask for a reasonable adjustment for telephone appointments.

You can also report changes to your health condition for your current ESA and then you'll be sent another form to fill in and return. There are long delays with work capability assessment reviews so I don't know how long it would take for a decision.

Or you can wait until you claim UC to report those changes to your health condition but if your ESA currently includes the Severe disability Premium then it would be better to report the changes while claiming ESA due to the Transitional Protection eroding if other elements are included.

Kimmy87

When you migrate to UC you will be placed in the UC equivalent of ESA WRAG which is UC LCW.

In order to get properly re aasessed for ESA Support Group (appealing this time if the decision is WRAG again) you need to ask for a new assessment.

What was the date of your last ESA WCA?

rp0290

My last WCA was in March 2014. After that, I was asked to attend a number of work-focused interviews, but after two meetings, I was told that no further interviews were required and that it would probably be a while before I heard from them again.

In 2023, the work coach was going to provide me with a letter and form, but nothing ever came of it regarding my group placement. Since it has been so long since my last WCA, I will more than likely be called for another one soon. However, I understand that the work coach can't really influence my group placement.

poppy123456

That's a long time to go without a review but there are many others in the same boat. You are correct that your work coach can't influence any decision made on any future WCA.

rp0290

So, I finally built up the courage to get it done, and I've been given these commitments.

I'd like to thank poppy and kimmy for taking the time to reply to me when I opened the thread!

Thanks

Holly_Scope

@rp0290 that's great news - thank you for sharing how you're getting on. And I'm sure @poppy123456 and @Kimmy87 will be really pleased with such wonderful feedback.

Best wishes,