Hi, my name is Di76! My daughter is becoming very depressed over confusion with UC...

Di76

My daughter is becoming very depressed over confusion with UC. They said everything was fine at the beginning of the year. Now they are saying she must change eesa to UC. She wrote ages ago to DWP saying she was on UC but DWP are still paying her eesa. Now UC are saying this will.affect her UC payments. It is absolutely confusing and she cannot find anyone to talk to.

Di76

I have already posted my daughter's issue before I saw your email. I apologise.

Kimi87

It's possible to get both UC & ESA.

Please have a read through of this thread (click on the purple text View Post)

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/130268/ive-already-moved-to-universal-credit-but-ive-received-a-letter-from-esa

Di76

Thank you for your response. Does my daughter have a choice? She gets UC.and they keep saying she has to transfer her eesa to them. But other UC claimants have told her if she transfers it will be greatly reduced. It's not that she hasn't tried to ask DWP to change this bit for some reason they are still paying her. This is where the confusion lies. So I am asking is she obliged to transfer eesa to UC and if so, how does she do this because she has tried but it isn't happening. Also, is it true that transferring eesa to UC will greatly reduce what she receives?

Kimi87

Migration to UC is mandatory, but if she is already getting Universal Credit then I don't understand why she is being asked to transfer.

As advised you can get both ESA (known as New Style ESA) and Universal Credit paid together.

In those circumstances the amount paid in NS ESA is taken off the UC award but the overall amount someone gets remains the same.

How long has she been getting UC and what do her payment statements show?

Kimi87

Here is a link to find local help

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Di76

Thanks for your answer. I will have to visit my daughter this week and get the info. or ask her to WhatsApp copies.. I will be in touch soon.

Holly_Scope

Hi @Di76 just wanted to pop and say welcome to the community. I hope things go ok this week with collating this information, and your daughter is ok. Please keep us updated on this (if you're happy to, of course).

Best wishes,

Di76

Thanks. I appreciate your response. My daughter has chronic physical and mental health problems and the constant confusion with UC has impacted on her health. I will try to get back this week once I have the info.

Kimi87

If you are both in agreement, you could be her appointee and manage the claim on her behalf.

https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits