Transferring WCA from ESA to UC

JZ1999

Hi, I've been on New style ESA for about 2 years while I was with my partner. My payments were always nil because I didn't pay enough NI contributions prior to claiming. I was unable to claim UC while with my partner due to his income. The sole reason for being on new style ESA was to receive my national insurance credits for being unfit to work.

I had a work capability assessment with ESA about 2 years ago and they deemed me unfit for work.

I have split up with my partner now and had to make a claim for UC. Will the work capability assessment I had with new style ESA be transferred over to UC?

I've asked universal credit about this but they don't give me a clear answer and I don't want to go through the whole process of providing fit notes again if not necessary.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Kimi87

Yes your New Style ESA status will give you automatic entitlement to the UC equivalent, which for ESA Support Group is LCWRA.

JZ1999

Hi, thanks for getting back to me, I have just had a message from universal credit stating this:

'When you applied for Universal Credit we told you that you did not need to provide a fit note.

We have since found that you have not yet had a Work Capability Assessment outcome for your health condition.'

Even though i did have WCA with ESA and they deemed me unfit for work.

What do I do next because this is really stressing me out. It feels like I don't have a leg to stand on.

Any advice please?

Thanks

Kimi87

Add a reply stating you had a WCA via ESA 2 years ago and the outcome was Support Group.

There are currently delays in ESA confirming awards with lots of claims, due to the number of managed migration notices having been increased.

As I myself am not a trained welfare rights advisor, you might want to speak to one:

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/