Universal credits work thing

poppy123456

The only way your LCWRA element will stop will be if you're found to have either LCW or fit for work. This can't happen without being referred for a work capability assessment, which is why it's an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise.

Please bear in mind that when you ring UC you are ringing a call centre and they have very little knowledge of the benefits system.

Sue_Alumni

Hi

I have just been reading your posts and see that you’re really worried about this.  I wonder if you were able to speak to someone at UC.  I really don’t think you need to worry about your claim being stopped.  I think what has happened is that you made a claim for new style ESA based on your NI contributions.  This is payable for a maximum of 12 months if you are placed in the work-related activity group -ie you have limited capability for work. Put very simply the new-style ESA claim worked alongside your UC claim with your partner so the fact that your new-style ESA has ended doesn’t affect your UC claim or the amount of money you are getting.   The advantage of claiming new -style ESA is that it is paid fortnightly, and you earn NI class 1 credits which can help towards your state pension. As you and your partner also claim UC the amount of UC is reduced by the amount you received for new style ESA so your money stays the same. 

You asked whether you need to supply further fit notes. The screen shot from your UC journal says that you were “given” LCW for 15 months from September 2020 ie that UC were prepared to treat you as continuing to have LCW until December 2021. The UC rules state that you are automatically treated as having LCW for UC if you have already been assessed as having LCW for new style ESA.  UC appears to be ignoring this rule and are applying the work capability assessment to you again and requiring you to supply fit notes.  

If all of this rings true, I think you should add a note to your online journal saying that you were already assessed as having LCW for new-style ESA and whist that has ended you do not think you should be reassessed again or required to produce fit notes as your conditions have not changed.

Hope this helps and please let us know how you get on and try not to worry !

calcotti

Sue_Scope said: The advantage of claiming new -style ESA is that it is paid fortnightly, and you earn NI class 1 credits which can help towards your state pension. 

As do the class 3 NI credits you get on UC anyway. The advantage of the Class 1 credits can be that they count for benefits other than State Pension.

poppy123456

Sue_Scope said:

Hi

I think what has happened is that you made a claim for new style ESA based on your NI contributions.  This is payable for a maximum of 12 months if you are placed in the work-related activity group -ie you have limited capability for work.

It's my understanding the the OP is receiving the LCWRA element in with their maximum UC entitlement because they mentioned "extra money". If this is correct and they are also claiming New style ESA then the ESA won't end after 1 year because they would be in the Support Group.

ella1992

Hi all I had my phone bill all is OK with are money it was miss information giving bye a adviser so in future its a case Manger I need talk to also she said I could be even waiting 2 years to be reassed as they only doing first claimants so put my mind at ease she also thinks I could of clicked the sick note thing bye mistake when I stayed logged in 

ella1992

** call

Sue_Alumni

That's a relief - so you're getting everything you should and no need to send fit notes ?  Just to check - your journal screen shot refers to you having LCW not LCWRA is this right ? 

ella1992

Am not sure what  I have all I no is I get extre money on my unvcail credits but I get paid in few weeks so I will no for sure then but last month I got all my normal money 

poppy123456

This just goes to prove that if you speak to the call centre they're not benefits advisors and will often give extremely poor advice. Even your work coach gave you very poor advice and made you worry for nothing.

If the extra money in past months was £343.63 then this will be the LCWRA element. You would only get extra money for LCW if your claim started before April 2017.

Your statements will tell you exactly all the elements that are included, as well as any deductions (if any)

Sue_Alumni

Ok please do check and make sure you are getting what you think you should - send a screen shot if you're not sure - but make sure you scrub out any personal info  - in the same way you did last time. 

ella1992

Thatas was april

ella1992

But April didn't show any more as I fort benefit gone up as I work 8 hours also so normally my first wage isn't effected but am wondering if It will be this month 

Sue_Alumni

That's great !  Now relax ! 

Sue_Alumni

Ok My previous post had gone in before I got your latest one if that makes sense.  Lets just wait and see what happens and you can send another screen shot of your journal at that point if you're not sure about anything. 

poppy123456

You have the work allowance, which means that £344 of your earnings is ignored. For anything over this amount there's a 55% deduction in your UC.

Don't forget the annual increase which will show in UC payments from 17th May.