Contribution based ESA wanting to claim UC

babymable

Hi, I currently claim Contribution based ESA and I am in the support group. That is the only benefit I am claiming. I do not receive income based ESA. I was going to apply for Universal Credit and was told that because I am in the support group that I would automaticaly be awarded LCWRA. Is this true ? Does that mean I don't have to be assessed? I've been putting it off because I can't mentally handle going through an assessent at the moment.

Kimi87

Yes that's true.

With an active ESA Support Group claim, LCWRA element would be added to your UC claim automatically without a medical assessment.

It can take several weeks for ESA to confirm your status with UC.

You'll see a deduction of £609.05 on your UC statement for the ESA.

This is an average amount for a months worth (there are 4.3 weeks in a month).

It doesn't matter if you've had 2 or 3 ESA payments in any particular month. The deduction will always be for the average.

babymable

Thanks for replying. So, currently I receive £562.20 monthly with ESA. With UC I will receive the standard rate of £404.14 then the LCWRA rate of £423.27 but they will deduct the ESA from my UC payment, correct. Do I immediately get LCWRA or do I have to wait 3 months for that payment ?

Kimi87

The amount you've quoted is 4 weeks ESA.

UC is a monthly benefit and the monthly equivalent of ESA is £609.05.

Yes you will be entitled to Standard Allowance +LCWRA.

With the ESA deduction, £214.36 of UC will remain in payment, giving you a total income of £823.41.

You would get LCWRA immediately with no waiting period, ESA usually confirm your current award in time for the first payment, but not always.

babymable

Thanks so much. It's a huge load off of my mind now.

Mary_Scope

Hi @babymable and a warm welcome to the community from me!

I see Kimi has already answered your question and provided some good advice so I won't add anything else today but it's lovely to have you here and i hope you enjoy your time on the community😊

babymable

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1088558#Comment_1088558

Hi,

I was supposed to be find out on the 19th what payments I would be receiving but I just received a note in my journal asking for a sick note. I was told because I was in the ESA Contribution based support group that I would not have to be reassessed. I am going to have a break down if this is case.

Kimi87

You don't need to provide a sick note or have a reassessment.

As previously advised it can take several weeks behind the scenes to confirm your previous ESA status.

This is usually done in time for the first payment statement, but not always.

If you want to respond you can add a Journal note, stating you have an active New Style ESA Support Group claim & as such are not required to submit a Fit Note.

If LCWRA element is missing from your statement, I would add another note (using the payment option) stating you have an active New Style ESA Support Group claim & your award is missing LCWRA element.

In that eventuality, you'll know when this has been sorted as a letter will be added to your Journal stating the amount owed due to underpayment and a new version of the statement added. The money will then be paid within a few working days.

babymable

Thanks. I added a note in my journal so hopefully that should be it.

babymable

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1095074#Comment_1095074

No one has answered me back today but they did set up a work appointment interview and asked me update my work profile.

Kimi87

I had to attend an appointment with a work coach before my ESA status came through.

I politely stated my rights at the appointment.

The work coach switched off everything she could but had to book another appointment (system mandate).

That second appointment was cancelled as my status was confirmed after the first appointment.

babymable

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1095195#Comment_1095195

Thanks. This is just making me mentally worse than I was. If they would have just sent a message explaining that they are waiting on ESA, then maybe it wouldn't be affecting me so much, but they ignored my messages and continued to book me a work appointment and ask me to upload a CV. Last night I was so distraught I had an anxiety attack.

Rachel_Scope

It's a complicated and frustrating process @babymable, I'm sorry it's causing you so much distress. How are you feeling today?

babymable

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1095241#Comment_1095241

I'm feeling better today, thanks. They finally got back to me saying that they can see I am ESA in the support group and that they added a manual override to my claim and that I do not have to attend the appointment or provide a fit note. The appointment was cancelled but it still says in my to do list to 'declare a new fit note'. He did say that the staff member allocated to my claim was off but that this should have been picked up by someone else.