Receiving ESA Support group, UC LCWRA but not PIP. Future changes advice/help

gazel
gazel Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited May 17 in Benefits and income

I've been on ESA Support group for a long time due to mh struggles, and have recently been given UC LCWRA as well. The changes coming in 2028/29 says that ESA support group will change to Unemployment Insurance and will be a time limited benefit. And it says that UC LCWRA will be a component of PIP, but I don't receive PIP currently and I'm afraid I'm going to lose everything and it's made me scared. Would it be a good idea to try and claim PIP now or wait till everything changes in the future? I'm a bit confused and scared about it all to be honest.

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  • Ross1975
    Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 188 Empowering
    edited May 15

    I think you should claim PIP now, with the extra money you might be able to save and end up with a safety net if the **** does hit the fan, the extra income will also come in handy while you're waiting for an MR or tribunal if you do get reassessed and get classed as fit for work or put into LCW which means less money, also the sanctions wont sting as much either, it's what I'm going to do.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,736 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @gazel, welcome to the community. It's a worrying time for many, you're not alone in how you're feeling about the proposed changes. We don't quite know what the exact details are for the changes, so it can be difficult to plan for the future.

    Do you feel you'd be eligible for PIP if you applied? If you feel it would help you day to day if may be worth claiming anyway as it's not means tested so could serve as an extra bit of income should you need it. Benefits and Work have a copy of all the PIP descriptors if you'd like to have a read:

    Personal Independence Payment (PIP) points system

    Turn2Us have a PIP guide and a form that helps you see if you might score points:

    Turn2us PIP Helper - Stage 2. How do you prepare for your Personal Independence PaymentPIP form?

    Lots of our members have been through the PIP process if you need any help or advice. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

    Hope you're doing okay, it's not an easy time at the moment.

  • gazel
    gazel Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Thank you so much Ross1975 for your help and advice. I really do appreciate it. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do just yet. I'm just worried about it all at the moment.

  • gazel
    gazel Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Thank you for your reply and help Rosie. I appreciate it so much. It's a difficult time for everyone who receives supports and it just makes me sad to be honest. I might try and apply for PIP and see what happens. If I don't get it, will it affected my other benefits do you know?

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