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A bolt from the blue

This is a message I just posted to my UC work coach ...
I had a phone call (number withheld) at 9:39 this morning from a lady claiming to be from Worthing(?) DRT.
(The lady had a strong foreign accent which was difficult to hear/understand - my interpretation follows)
She said as they were unable to contact my CAB representative, they were calling me directly to inform that they have reversed their decision and are going to reinstate my original claim for ESA WRAG.
She asked if it was ok for them to cancel the tribunal hearing, to which I agreed, but she couldn't advise me about my current UC claim and the new UC50 that is ongoing
Do you have any advice, please?
(The lady had a strong foreign accent which was difficult to hear/understand - my interpretation follows)
She said as they were unable to contact my CAB representative, they were calling me directly to inform that they have reversed their decision and are going to reinstate my original claim for ESA WRAG.
She asked if it was ok for them to cancel the tribunal hearing, to which I agreed, but she couldn't advise me about my current UC claim and the new UC50 that is ongoing
Do you have any advice, please?
Forgot to say I believe she mentioned backdated payment, but I'm not sure I should have agreed to cancel the tribunal hearing.
So, not as difficult for some as it is for some others, considering my MR and appeal for tribunal had no supporting evidence from any medical professionals.
Prior to starting this post, I made a call to CAB regarding the lack of communication with my representative - no one was available to take my call so left details for a callback.
CAB just called back, it just happened to be my representative, offering no explanation for being incommunicado but (long-story-short) doesn't have a clue what happens next regarding my current claim for UC credit.
I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. 🤕
Resident joker - not to be taken too seriously ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Replies
Can you remind me what stage you’re at with your UC50 on Universal Credit? Are you awaiting assessment or awaiting decision?
Also, when did your claim for ESA begin?
Scope
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Your ESA decision will transfer over to Universal Credit, however as a new WCA has been triggered you will need to continue with this and any decision they make will supersede the ESA decision.
With regards to the forms, they are both work capability assessment forms, just one is for ESA and the other for Universal Credit.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Please do check the groupings though, if you were WRAG on ESA it should be LCW on UC, if Support Group, it should be LCWRA. I'd hate for them to place you in the wrong group and down the line ask for the money back.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Do you have your ESA decision letter? Can you confirm what group they put you in? Was it definitely WRAG (where you are expected to undertake work related activities) or was it the Support Group?
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I agree the Adrian you need to find out because if they pay you the extra LCWRA element instead of just the LCW and this is an error then you will end up owing DWP money.
Unfortunately for UC if DWP make an error then this is recoverable, unlike it was with the old legacy benefits.
The Work Related Activities group (WRAG) on ESA is the same as Limited Capacity for Work (LCW) on Universal Credit.
The Limited Capacity for Work and Work Related Activities (LCWRA) is the same as Support Group on ESA.
What was the decision from your ESA offer? And have you had any changes to your Universal Credit statements or journal yet? This should clear up which groupings you’ve been placed in.
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If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
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If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
We have looked again at the decision of 29/03/2019 about your Employment and Support Allowance.
We have changed the decision this is because you stated in your Appeal request letter that you are unable to mobilise more than 100 meters on level ground due to severe pain due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Therefore, I have awarded you with further 9 points for the Mobilising descriptor. You have
You have now scored 15 points from the Work Capability Assessment and consequently my decision is that you remain entitled to Employment and Support Allowance with the work related activity component for 24 months.
Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) have been notified of this change.
You will receive a separate letter about your benefit payments.
If you are placed in the WRAG equivalent (LCW) this is an additional £126.11 a month. If you are placed in the support group equivalent (LCWRA) this is an additional £336.20 per month.
Whether or not your UC50 has been cancelled, this should be backdated by UC to the start of your claim for UC and continue until you are next assessed.
When making back payments they usually retrospectively alter past 'statements' on a UC account. Have you been able to check any of these to see if they've been altered yet?
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Have you made any progress with your PIP application?
I’d also recommend applying for a DHP to help with the rent shortfall. Do you have some rent free weeks? It looks like there’s a further shortfall than just one extra bedroom.
Is CAB helping to speak to UC for you? What have they recommended as your next steps?
Nerves are too frayed to start any new processes at the moment.
I can understand why you’ve put off applying for PIP, the whole thing is stressful, just thought it may help with both the money and the bedroom tax!!
Thought it would be rent free weeks but wanted to check as they sometimes mess that up!! Glad they’re giving you the right amount towards housing.
I read your post about CAB it just wasn’t clear whether they’d suggested what you do next 🤷♀️