UC want me to carry on waiting for the ESA assessment even though my ESA is about to end?

LeeA380

I know my ESA ends after 1 year (still awaiting the assessment) so with only a week or two remaining I have tried to move over to UC.

However, UC phoned me today from the job centre to say that there is no point coming to UC and awaiting an assessment with them, as it will probably take longer than it would to wait for the ESA assessment.

This means I now get no ESA or UC benefits for the next X number of months? I have been waiting 12 months for an assessment, and I at least need some benefits to tide me over until the assessment eventually comes.

Seems to me like UC are passing the buck.

Emilyb81

Wow so what do they say you should survive on in meantime??

janer1967

I think you have been given wrong advice other members have done this and after assessment finally happen the decision transfer to uc 

You can claim uc and esa but esa would deducted from uc 

I get your esa is about to end but will be reinstated if you get support group 

I would talk to welfare rights 

LeeA380

janer1967 said:

I think you have been given wrong advice other members have done this and after assessment finally happen the decision transfer to uc 

You can claim uc and esa but esa would deducted from uc 

I get your esa is about to end but will be reinstated if you get support group 

I would talk to welfare rights 

Yes but I am in no-man's land between ESA  (12 months expired and still not assessed) and UC.

The question is, can I at least claim the looking for work part of UC (not support group as I haven't been assessed yet by anybody) until I wait for the assessment? Otherwise, as EmilyB said, I might be without means of survival for months yet.

janer1967

Yes you can just claim basic rate bit 7f you don't report the medical condition it could affect and cancel out the esa assessment 

As you will no longer be on esa and not reported a medical condition in uc 

As advised before I suggest you get some expert advice from welfare rights 

calcotti

Anybody who claims UC has an entitlement to the standard allowance (subject to deductions for other household income and provided not excluded by savings). The health assessment determines whether or not there will be extra entitlement.

You need to report the health condition, backed up by a Fit Note, as part of the UC claim.