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I've just applied for new style ESA. What's the purpose of the work coach interview?

mini07

I have been receiving sick notes since Oct 10th and have only just applied for the new style ESA through NI contribution (didn’t realise I could) my employer doesn't pay me sick pay.
I have an appointment with a work coach on Monday but I’m confused as I already have a job waiting for me to return
.what is the purpose of this Interview?

Any help with what they will be saying would be appreciated I’ve never we claimed a benefit

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poppy123456

Hi,

It will be part of your claim and you will need to agree to your claimant commitments. All new claimants need to attend their local job centre.

If you've paid the correct amount of NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years you will receive £74.70 per week (over 25) £59.20 per week (under 25)

Although you have a job to return to you've claimed a benefit and you need to attend this appointment.

You will also receive a work capability assessment form sometime in the near future. You will need to fill that out and return it will all your evidence to support your claim.

You will eventually need to have a work capability assessment, most people have them. During this assessment you'll be asked questions on what a typical day is like for you and how your conditions affect you. A report will be writen and returned to DWP. A decision maker will then look at that and all the evidence you sent and make a decision on your claim. The decision will either be Support Group, Work related activity group or fit for work.

These links may help.

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-esa

This is the form you will receive

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975770/esa50-capability-for-work-questionnaire.pdf

Support Group descriptors here.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

If placed into the Support Group your payments will increase from week 14 of your claim and continue for as long as you remain in that group.

If placed into the work group your payments will stop after 1 year and there's no increased payments.

If found fit for work your payments will stop.

calcotti

mini07 said:... my employer doesn't pay me sick pay.

If you were earning more than £120/week averaged over the 8 weeks before you went off work then your employer is legally required to pay you Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks.

mini07

Thanks for the informative reply Poppy123456 makes more sense now.

Calcotti Thanks ro for your reply however only work 12 hours per week on minimum wage so there for I don’t meet the criteria for work related sick pay.

poppy123456

There maybe issues with your ESA claim to receive payments if you’ve earned less than £120 per week.

To be able to receive payments you will need to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years.

calcotti

mini07 said:

Thanks for the informative reply Poppy123456 makes more sense now.

Calcotti Thanks ro for your reply however only work 12 hours per week on minimum wage so there for I don’t meet the criteria for work related sick pay.

Be aware that if your level of pay was similar in 2019-20 and 2020-21 you will not have gained any NI contributions from your work and will therefore not qualify for new style ESA

poppy123456

If you don’t qualify for ESA you can check entitlement to Universal Credit. It’s means tested so if you live with a partner you’ll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’ll be excluded from claiming. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=c001c46e-fbba-4919-8e26-cdd7e1f1040b

mini07

Hi I have enough contributions through voluntary payment

calcotti

mini07 said:

Hi I have enough contributions through voluntary payment

Were they Class 2 (self-employed) or Class 3 payments? Class 2 payments count, class 3 don't. If Class 2 that's great.

poppy123456

mini07 said:

Hi I have enough contributions through voluntary payment

These would have been class 3 and don't entitle you to New style ESA. Unless you were self employed, which would be class 2 which will qualify you, if you've paid the correct amount.

mini07

Completed the interview went great no questions asked about any form only my day to day Activities the work coach was lovely and very understanding once king covid was mentioned he more or less said no dither questions and went Ito to talk about king covid.
I digitally signed a declaration with the work coach.
what is the next step I forgot to ask

poppy123456

If you haven't already received a letter from DWP telling you whether your claim has been successful and whether you will receive payments, you should receive that in the next few weeks.

You haven't answered the question about which NI that you paid.

calcotti

mini07 said:

Completed the interview went great no questions asked about any form only my day to day Activities the work coach was lovely and very understanding once king covid was mentioned he more or less said no dither questions and went Ito to talk about king covid.
I digitally signed a declaration with the work coach.
what is the next step I forgot to ask

You should get a sent the Work Capability Assessment questionnaire to complete and, as poppy says, if you haven't had it yet confirmation of whether or not you are entitled to be paid based on your NI record.

mini07

Poppy123456
I've paid enough years of NI to be qualified through my self catering holiday cottage that I run as well as working for an employer for 12 hours per week.
i only needed 2 years in full.

mini07

Class 2 I’ve paid.
HMRC confirmed this morning -
I decided to make sure I had enough before the work coach rang thanks for highlighting it