change of benefit

stuartperry

okay, so recently they made me move from ESA income-based to universal credit.   

it's been quite stressful for me because they have changed all my benefits and merged it into one, very confusing and overwhelming.

my question today is regarding my payment....

so on ESA every fortnight, I was receiving £318.10. I was in the support group which I believe is the maximum amount due to my health issues.

Once moving over,I received my second payment On universal credit and it is monthly and I am getting £505.41 

Per month in comparison this is nearly £130 difference!!! It's really stressing me out because I am struggling as it is. I don't understand why they are under paying me and what can I do?  I believe I'm on the same benefit, as in a support group and don't need to attend the Centre.

i've been on ESA for many many years. This new reduced amount of payment is not gonna work for me.

does this amount seem correct to you guys? What can I do about it please? If somebody can point me in the right direction?

Thank you   

Kimi87

What elements are shown on your UC statement?

Are there any deductions on your statement?

stuartperry

where can I see this statement?

Kimi87

Did you claim UC online or by phone?

If online you can log into your online account (known as the Journal), and view payment statements.

If by phone you should be sent copies by post.

ronsimons22

Hi Stuart you should of been moved onto Contribution Based ESA this runs alongside your UC so you should not be out of pocket

They call it "New Style ESA" I know confusing.

The only reason I know is because I've just been migrated over to UC from Income Related ESA and kept getting notifications from UC stating that my payment would be affected by ESA.

Phoned ESA and they explained everything to me & I even got a apology for the confusion they said this is happening a lot, they cannot understand why UC does not know this when it's even on there own website stating this.

Even up to this morning I got a e-mail from them saying the exact same thing about payments being affected due to the fact I'm getting ESA.

I hope this clears up any confusion you need to contact ESA.

Kimi87

You are only moved to New Style ESA if part of your previous ESA award was Contributions Based.

Many people don't know what their ESA award was until they migrate.

This is where much of the confusion lies, not helped by legacy ESA award letters which make little sense even to experienced and trained benefits advisors.

ronsimons22

Kimi I was on Income Related ESA they migrated me automatically to Contributions Based ESA once I contacted them.

You have to let ESA know then they will take care of it.

stuartperry

so how can two of you go from income related to contribution just because you rang them up?

how can you go from income to contribution? I am currently on income based.

I claimed Online for UC

Kimi87

If you log into your Journal, click on Payments, you will see a list of dates. Those are your statements which you click on to view.

My ESA award was part CB and part IR, so mine changed to UC & New Style ESA.

The other user has contradictory posts, first they rang up for an explain of what had happened, then they said that they rang up and asked to be changed.

They've also linked New Style ESA and making sure you aren't worse off after migration - Transitional Protection has nothing to do with New Style ESA.

I am satisfied that my advice is correct, New Style ESA only happens after migration if part of previous award was CB ESA.

As I said many people think their ESA is one thing, only finding out after migration they were mistaken. It causes a lot of confusion.

stuartperry

Standard allowance

£393.45

You get a standard amount each month. You said you're single

Housing

£464.88

Need help understanding your housing?

You said per month the total rent for your property is £464.88.

We can pay your landlord £464.88 towards your housing.

Limited capability for work and work-related activity

£416.19

You said your health affects you at work or prevents you from working

okay this is what my statement says

I think they made it overpayment hence that's why they are taking it as debt

that's why my payment has reduced to only £500 a month

can you tell me if this is the maximum payment on ESA support? Which I was previously getting.

stuartperry

do you think I'm getting the maximum amount ?

I have been claiming for nearly 10 years ESA am I supposed to be getting something additional if it's before 2017?

Kimi87

No the 2017 information only applies to ESA WRAG.

Yes Standard Allowance & LCWRA pays £809.64 which is the maximum amount for someone previously getting ESA SG.

stuartperry

so that's gonna be more payment than I was previously getting!

does this sound correct?

wrag what is this mean?

Kimi87

ESA Work-Related Activity Group. Not relevant to you as you were in the Support Group.

Yes UC LCWRA +Standard Allowance pay more than ESA SG if you didn't get Severe Disability Premium.

stuartperry

so why are they calling it that if I'm not in an activity group?

Kimi87

ESA had two groups.

Work Related Activity Group.

Support Group, which you were in.

The 2017 date you asked about only applies to the WRAG.

stuartperry

Limited capability for work and work-related activity

£416.19

so this is what they are calling it on my statement

it says work related so does that pay the same?

as support group

they haven't put a support anywhere in the title

Kimi87

LCWRA is the UC equivalent of ESA Support Group.

LCW is the UC equivalent of ESA Work Related Activity Group.

stuartperry

so what would the Work related group be called in UC?

worried33

Limited capability for work.

Grumpy1314

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132727/change-of-benefit

From this month I’m on £280.40 on ESA, I’m in the Support Group Income Based with Limited Capability to Work. I’m also on UC, I’m on the higher elements of daily living and mobility PIP. I’ve been told that I won’t be migrating from ESA due to the above information, thankfully I won’t be receiving a migration form.