My esa is a mess please does anyone know how to help

abs91
abs91 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
I have LCWRA on uc and claimed new style esa because my partner’s work is sporadic so some months Ns esa would pay me more than uc and it means I get a consistent minimum amount.

I was told my LCWRA would transition to esa but it hasn’t and now esa won’t pay me because I’m not giving fit notes. But if I give fit notes they will reassess me.

I tried calling them and the person wouldn’t listen to me and said I can’t get Ns esa and UC and I had to close my uc which isn’t true.

its been going on months now and no one will listen and I don’t know what to do. Please can anyone help? 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,883 Championing
    HI,

    Claiming New style ESA will depend on your NI Contributions from working in tax years April 2017 to March 2019, if you haven't paid the correct amount then you will be unable to claim this.

    If you have paid the correct amount then fit notes are not needed because you already have LCWRA which is Support Group for ESA. You should send a copy of your LCWRA decision letter to them to prove that you've been assessed as having LCWRA or ask them to check UC system to acknowledge your award.
  • abs91
    abs91 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    I did that already I told them to check my UC and the telephone lady said I can’t claim UC and Ns and refused to help and I sent them my LCWRA decision letter from my journal and my assessment report and a letter explaining and even giving the reasons quoting to their guidance about it transitioning and they’re just ignoring me.

    I have the ni contributions they started paying me assessment rate but then stopped because I didn’t send a fit note. 

    I’ve written to them repeatedly and given them everything and they just don’t respond and won’t fix it. 

    What do I do now?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,883 Championing
    They are not correct, NsESA can be claimed as well as UC but your NSESA will be deducted £1 for £1 from any UC entitlement.

    A fit note shouldn't be needed because you already have LCWRA and sending another fit note could prompt another work capability assessment.

    I'm going to tag a member of our admin team who will hopefully be able to advise you further.

    @Adrian_Scope I would appreciate your help here please.. thanks in advance.
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,644 Online Community Programme Lead
    Thanks for the tag @poppy123456.

    A warm welcome to the community @abs91. I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with ESA at the moment.

    I’ll be really honest and say that most of the things I would think to suggest have been covered by Poppy or you’ve done them already. 
    I’m going to forward the query to our specialist benefit adviser Joanne tomorrow and see if she has any further advice for you. 
  • lmnop
    lmnop Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    edited October 2020
    Have you had any progress to this? I’m having similar problem except they’ve now agreed I don’t need fit notes and have LCWRA but that I have to serve the wait period again on esa ?‍♀️
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,883 Championing
    lmnop said:
    Have you had any progress to this? I’m having similar problem except they’ve now agreed I don’t need fit notes and have LCWRA but that I have to serve the wait period again on esa ?‍♀️

    I answered your question on your other thread. https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/74220/any-benefit-regulation-experts#latest

  • lmnop
    lmnop Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thank you I’ve replied to you there @poppy123456
  • Parrot123
    Parrot123 Community member Posts: 137 Empowering
    @abs91 i am on eesa and pip. Try and get a welfare rights officer to help you. look on google Will . I hope u get this sorted  Will x