recently moved near hospital, so had to change to UC from ESA *NIGHTMARE!*

mandyQ

Since moving to nearby Colchester Hospital obv due to health, we've been treated in a way I can only describe as passively abusive by UC Case Worker. Which flares up our illnesses and is generally making life horrible. Every day, my husband tries to speak to them by phone or journal to re establish our previous Benefits income to near to what we received before losing , or close to the amount. Due to moving, we had to buy many things because our furniture simply didn't fit as was too big for this terraced home. Quite out of the blue, they asked why we'd had so many eBay purchases!!! What did that have to do with us receiving what we're due??? They numbered the amount! Is it common knowledge the lowly Journal responders access that private spending info? Much of what we ordered were groceries and embarrassing products I need due to illness. Each time we ask for our case to be escalated to another level or similar, they refuse and then remove Benefits we've fought for...as quick as overnight. My husband is retired 67 with illnesses mental and physical. He's a two times survivor of renal cancer in past ten years, cares for me overnight and by day. And I have multiple illnesses meaning I hadn't left my home hardly at all for 3 or 4 years. And only rarely before that. Today we have had our previously paid transitional payments removed. Yesterday it was something else which means we get £3,000.00 less a year!
Before my husband is lost to me by another breakdown (or worse Heaven forbid) IS THERE SUCH A THING as an Independent Support Worker who could Advocate for us and be willing to come to our home? I'm too unwell most days and this is getting beyond my husband. I'm genuinely frightened. Please advise? Thanks so much for listening to me. You're good people!
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ShirleyW

Are you State Pension age as well as your husband?

Maybe you could list the benefits you were each receiving before the change to UC and the amounts.   That would help the more experienced posters to help.

calcotti

ShirleyW said:

Are you State Pension age as well as your husband?

Maybe you could list the benefits you were each receiving before the change to UC and the amounts.   That would help the more experienced posters to help.

They can't both be State Pension - they wouldn't be on UC if they were.

However listing existing benefits will be helpful.

Unfortunately as a mixed age couple UC will undoubtedly pay less than ESA because of the loss of the pensioner premium in ESA. There is no transitional protection applicable for that. A loss of £3000/annum may well be correct.

ShirleyW

calcotti said:

ShirleyW said:

Are you State Pension age as well as your husband?

Maybe you could list the benefits you were each receiving before the change to UC and the amounts.   That would help the more experienced posters to help.

They can't both be State Pension - they wouldn't be on UC if they were.

Yes that's what I thought but wanted to make sure.  

dynasty30

Oh that’s insane that they listed the number of eBay purchases you had,and it’s certainly not right that they did that,I have loads of eBay purchases which costs more with postage as I can’t get up town the same as before so have to buy online.
I really hope you get everything sorted out 😊

life

Horrible treatment towards you and your husband. Be strong don't let them get you down. 

Cher_Alumni

@mandyQ Hello and welcome to Scope's online community. I'm sorry you joined us under such distressing circumstances but I hope the replies you've received have offered some comfort.

As mentioned, would you be happy to let us know the benefits you were on previously to help us better help you?

Also, if you are still unhappy with how you have been treated by your UC case worker, then it might be worth reading the Department for Works and Pensions Complaints Procedure and visiting Advice Local to find expert advice closer to where you live.

Take care and please remember where we are if you need any further support.

calcotti

Cher, OP appears not to have logged in again since the opening post two months ago.

Cher_Alumni

@calcotti I'm just working through some old threads tagged 'unanswered' to check and see if a resolution was ever achieved so you might see me popping up on some seemingly random posts today  Apologies for the confusion!