Migration to UC/New Style ESA?

Nobodyspecial

Did anyone here 'Currently in the Support Group of ESA' - decide to NOT to Migrate onto UC?

If yes, was you Automatically transferred onto New Style ESA - or did you have to apply to NS ESA?

I've seen some people say they didn't want to go onto UC because they were anxious or other reasons.

I understand we receive more money If we migrate onto UC - but it's incredibly stressful process for many. However, is the transfer to New Style ESA just as bad?

My Daughter is extremely anxious about migrating receied letter. But some of her ESA is mix of CB and IR. Shes been unable to work since working age due to Mental and physical health conditions.She gets £323.50 a fortnight. (Plus her DLA)

Please can you let me know your experience with New Style ESA department?

Thank You for any help.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

If you choose not to migrate to UC, then the IR ESA ends, but the CB ESA continues.

Currently CB ESA is not replaced by NS ESA, unless you are migrating to UC as well.

It is also worth noting that your daughter won't qualify for NS ESA if you attempt to make a new claim for that. She would have had to work in the past 2 years for that. She is only entitled to NS ESA if migrating to UC.

Nobodyspecial

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1078831#Comment_1078831

But she wouldn't 'automatically' just stay on CB ESA? Surely they would contact her to ask why she hasn't migrated?

I phoned ESA - the person I spoke to said she would be contacted by them even if she doesn't migrate?....It is so confusing. I wish there was someone here who had chosen not to migrate so I can ask what happened.

TThe guy at ESA said it is unusual for somine not to migrate to UC - he said she would also be contacted by ESA to confirm commitments with them as well?

If I advise her wrongly I will be devastated....she's so anxious about this.

I don't know what would be best for her to do....may I ask what would your advice be please? I'm feeling desperate about the situation myself.

ricky1040

I was on cb ESA support group. I migrated to universal credit and still get cb ESA but at a lower rate. This amount is then deducted from my credit. But because I migrated any difference is made up with transitional protection. So I remain on the same as I was previously. Only other thing needed to do was apply for rates rebate scheme as rates are not covered by ucredit

ricky1040

I think it's a case that she will need to migrate or end up losing out.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1078914#Comment_1078914

She would stay on CB ESA because only IR ESA is ending. There are plenty of people on CB ESA only who will not be migrated to New Style ESA.

They will contact her/you to ask why you haven't migrated to UC either way.

The person at ESA may have been confused. If she does migrate to UC with NS ESA then she will have to accept commitments for both of those benefits separately. But that part is fairly easy. The only commitments are to report any changes, that's purely a tick-box exercise.

My advice would be to migrate to UC. That is what I did myself last year. My own migration was not straightforward, but since completing the migration I have not had any contact with DWP at all. It was difficult at the time, but has been worth it now. Is there any part of the process that your daughter is particularly anxious about? Filling in the online forms is fairly easy. And she won't need a health assessment because she will be entitled to LCWRA from the start of the claim. Verifying ID can be difficult for people without a passport & driving licence. That is often the most difficult part.

Kiki23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1078914#Comment_1078914

I dont have the answers to your query, however, I just wanted to pass by on here to say you sound like a very "special" person who is such a supportive and lovely caring mum to her daughter and shes very lucky to have a mum like you fighting for her 😊 Ive never had that kind of support myself with my family

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1078916#Comment_1078916

Hi,

For the sake of accuracy, I think you will now be on New Style ESA after migrating to Universal Credit.

New Style ESA is still contribution based, but is no longer called Contributions Based.

ricky1040

👍

Catherine21

I recieved migration letter 8th September I decided to do earlier i phoned CAB on 25th September the guy went through the form with me pit all my details in then did a three way call with uc line I did a phone claim the Universal Credit gentleman was very nice and helpful went through the form with him when that was done recieved message 26th to uc was put through to commitment line few minutes she read something out I agreed informed of appointment at job centre for ID check I decided to go to jobcentre to get it done quick extremely nice guy checked ID and that was it I actually called uc twice to see if call was ok and five weeks later all sorted honestly wasnt anyway near as bad as I thought CAB was fantastic as that was my worry the form ps hope that makes sense I do ramble

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1078916#Comment_1078916

Whats rates rebates pls

ricky1040

Maybe this is a northern Ireland thing. That's where I live. But we pay rates alongside are rent. And previously this was paid as part of my housing benifet. But once I changed to ucredit. This wasn't the case. And I had to apply for an additional payment for rates.