Confused. Not entitled to NS ESA yet.

Alisonc65

been on ESA since 2011. Historically worked part time. CAB advised me that Because I haven’t worked in past 2-3 years ( i haven’t worked from at least lockdown).I haven’t got much of work history. I am 65.

I wouldn’t be entitled to NS ESA.
that means only payment I would be getting is what has been migrated over to UC.

Yet I am waiting for a job centre appointment to complete my claim for NS ESA. Was on income based ESA before so how easy to change to 100% income based

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

If you were on all income based ESA before then that will all be migrated to UC.

Only people who had part income related and part contributions based get New Style ESA alongside UC when migrating. This has nothing to do with working as it is not a new claim.

Alisonc65

very confused. Still not heard from Job centre for appointment so can’t get NS ESA until I get to agree to commitments. That could be weeks/months away. So ESA element in UC will be all I am living off

My CB ESA ended on 1 December but CAB advised unlike Income based ESA which ended on 1 December but I unlikely to get a final CB payment on 15 Dec. I texted my link worker but hasn’t yet got back. She will be off from 15 Dec to 29 Dec. But will see her on 30 December.

It is one big mess

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1090404#Comment_1090404

CAB have advised you wrongly. If you had partly CB ESA before, that transfers to NS ESA now. It has nothing to do with working in this case.

Your UC will be exactly the same money if it doesn't have ESA deducted from it.

Hopefully you will get the appointment with the Job Centre soon, I wouldn't recommend asking CAB for any more advice on this situation.

Alisonc65

thanks but it may take a long wait to get an appointment with Job centre especially if they don’t do any payments until agreed to commitments.

fairer to do payments up to appointment and then agree to commitments to keep payments.

Kimi87

As advised several times historically when transferring from CB & IR ESA, the IR changes into UC & the CB changes into New Style ESA.

Payments of NS ESA continue on your usual payment cycle regardless of whether you've had the commitment appointment.

The letter they send out is a standard letter assuming you are a new claim not a transfer. Much of what is written doesn't apply to transfers.

You are best off sitting tight and giving things more time to see what happens with your ESA payments. All should become clearer in time. It's very confusing at the beginning until things settle down.

Financially UC Standard Allowance + LCWRA pays £823.41 (assuming single no dependant children). Plus any Housing Element.

You'll either get £823.41 from UC, or £609.05 New Style ESA + £214.36 UC.

I agree Citizens Advice are incorrect on this occasion, the recent NI Contributions from working only applies to new claims not transfers.