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New style esa

Jon7777777

I have applied for this today as I feel I fit the criteria, process was very quick and easy, recieved text message with link to forward fit note.

Am a little confused does this mean i meet the criteria, or is it normal to have to send a fit note before u even know if you are accepted, if its the latter then am just. Wasting the doctors time if I am refused thanx in advance

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Comments

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

As you are already on Universal Credit with LCWRA, you do not need to supply a fit note to ESA. That must be an automated text.

Jon7777777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1105361#Comment_1105361

Aww ok thank you so it's just a case of waiting for a confirmation letter

Mary_Scope

Hopefully you won't be waiting too long for that letter @Jon7777777

Jon7777777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1105427#Comment_1105427

Thank u, I got my fit note today, do u think I should send it, even thou I am in the lwca uc

Adrian_Scope

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1105436#Comment_1105436

Hello @Jon7777777, I’m afraid we can’t tell you what you should do in this situation.

If they are asking for fit notes, it could be that your LCWRA status on Universal Credit hasn’t yet been carried across. I’m not sure whether this has now been resolved, but historically some people experienced issues because there wasn’t a direct system in place for ESA to check UC awards. Unlike when someone moves from ESA to UC, the information wasn’t automatically shared the other way around.

If you’re able to, it may be worth giving ESA a call to explain that you already have a confirmed LCWRA award on Universal Credit, and to ask whether they still require you to provide a fit note, as you should be placed in the Support Group.

Jon7777777

Phoned esa and they said because it's a different benefit I need to supply fit notes I explained I was in lwca uc and they said it does not matter, so prob full assessment again

Jon7777777

Just recieved letter we cannot pay you esa from Feb 2026 because you have not paid or been credited with enough ni contributions,

To continue to get contribution based esa u may need to attend a work focused interview with a advisor.

To continue to get esa u may need to fill in a capability for work questionnaire, of you don't fill in questionnaire or payments will be stopped,

I hope somebody understands this as if I don't fit the criteria why go to see a advisor, or fill out the capability assessment thank u

Kimi87

It's possible to not qualify for payment, but still qualify to get NI Contributions paid, the criteria ie appointments etc are the same.

Jon7777777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1107923#Comment_1107923

Oh rite well with me already having enough contributions to get state person it's pointless

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1107934#Comment_1107934

It isn't pointless. It keeps your LCWRA status if you lose UC due to excess savings. When you start a new UC claim after savings drop, then you do not have to go through another WCA.

I don't know where the ESA advisors are getting their information from here as the WCA is exactly the same for both UC & ESA. You do not need to go through separate WCA's for each benefit.

I have been through this process myself. I get the NI Credits without payments and did not have to go through another WCA or attend any appointment is there is no money being paid. (I suppose it is possible the process has changed in the last few months but that seems unlikely).