Esa

Terri34

Dose anyone know if the government has said about new style esa support group. I am in it I been told I can never work again but got to much money to get any other savings many thanks

Zipz

I used to claim IR-ESA. I now claim CB-ESA (legacy) due to a change in financial circumstances. I am not eligible for UC. I expect to lose thus essential money. Until 30 June, the Government is consulting on a new Insurance- Based Benefit, fusing CB-ESA and CB-JSA. It will be time-limited. If the WCA is abolished I'll be in a mes. However, the construction is still running. Please complete the questionnaire. And there's a long way to go yet.

@YogiBear @luvpink

Karl99

I’m so confused about the whole ESA to UC migration. Im on contribution based ESA in the support group with a UC top up. I’ve never been asked to fully migrate to UC. Is this something we have to instigate ourselves by calling DWP or is migration not an option for us on contribution based ESA?

Im even more confused why being on UC with the health top up is any different to those of us on ESA in support group? From what I understand it’s essentially the same benefit with same payment, yet us ESA claimant's are being treated entirely differently, and looks like we’re about to be thrown under a bus. It’s so frustrating.

JVD

Hi, I have never claimed any benefits before and have accumulated 47 years of full National Insurance contributions over the last 49 years. However, I have been unable to work since my business was destroyed in a fire in 2023. I have not received any salary since then and have used all my savings to support myself. During this time, I also became unwell, but I didn’t make any claims for benefits until my money ran out. In early January 2025, I claimed Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), but my application was rejected because I had not made any contributions in 2023 and 2024. Can anyone advise me on what to do next? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have not been very helpful.

Terri34

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042743#Comment_1042743

Thank you for getting back to me if you hear anything can you eat let me know i would be so carful thank you

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042743#Comment_1042743

Hi,

UC is a means tested, Income Related benefit.

Contributions Based ESA is not being migrated to UC.

For people migrating with a dual ESA claim, their CB ESA automatically changes to New Style ESA now. If you are still on legacy CB ESA with a UC top up, then you are already on UC and will not be migrated any further. CB ESA may change in future, as is currently being discussed in government.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042811#Comment_1042811

Hi,

With respect, you should have claimed New Style ESA within 2 years of losing your salary. It will not be possible to claim that now.

If you have used all of your savings, and now have less than £16,000 total, you should apply for Universal Credit instead. If you live with a partner, their income & savings will also be used to calculate UC entitlement.

JVD

Thank you, OverlyAnxious, for your reply and valuable advice.

I initially believed I was acting responsibly by refraining from making a claim. At that time, I had sufficient funds and wanted to avoid the appearance of submitting a fraudulent claim. However, as my financial situation changed and I eventually exhausted my resources, I considered obtaining a sick note to qualify for sick pay. Although I have been regularly visiting my doctor since 2023, I did not pursue a claim, and throughout my 49 years of working, I have never made a claim.

Thank you once again