looking for clarification

AndyLambert

Hi all, hoping some one here maybe able to advise to what could be a simple /obvious issue, just I am new to this and trying to get some clarification/peace of mind. I am in receipt of ESA, initially had a universal credit claim request, but was advised early on no UC would be paid, due to my wife earning sufficient funds. since then I have continued to communicate via Universal credit and recently had to attend a DWP assessment for work, the outcome being they accepted I am unable to work,. Logged into Universal credit this week to find they have now closed their file. So just looking for clarification whether this effects my ESA payment or not. I tried phoning Jobcentre plus, been on hold for over two hours in three attempts, went in to my local job centre for clarification (as near my counselling) and they were unable to advise, just to keep trying the phone or return back in the future and the system may have updated. Again apologies if i seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill and/or I am missing something obvious, but any help/knowledge would be huge to me and my anxieties!

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

When you claim UC if your award is reduced to zero for that month then your claim will close.

Your New style ESA claim is Contributions based and when claiming UC along side this your ESA is deducted £1 for £1 from any UC entitlement. As your UC claim has closed this won't affect your ESA claim.

You say that DWP have accepted you're unable to work, may i ask which group you've been placed into, is it WRAG (LCW) or Support Group (LCWRA) if it's Support Group then you would be receiving £111.65 per week from the 14 week of your claim and your ESA will continue to be paid for as long as you remain in that group.

If it's WRAG (LCW) then you will remain on £73.10 per week and you will only continue to be paid for 365 days, once this is reached you'll receive NI credits only.

AndyLambert

Hi thanks for that, has helped me no end. Did not know about LCW/LCWRA, although they may have mentioned it meeting, once anxious my mind races so may  not have taken it in. But U am on the lower figure, so guess that confirms grouping

Chloe_Alumni

Best of luck @AndyLambert and I'm so glad @poppy123456 was able to provide some great advice here.

poppy123456

AndyLambert said:

 But U am on the lower figure, so guess that confirms grouping

Yes, this means you are in the WRAG which means your money will stop after 365 days because of the time limit. This time limit starts from when you first claimed ESA and DWP will write to you nearer the date.