PIP and ESA

ggloria007

Hello all, 

I have been receiving PIP (basic rates) for the last 6 years. The current PIP will expire in Feb 2023. Last year I was diagnosed with cancer. In January, I have called PIP and informed them of the "change". I was not really in the mood to collect the paperwork for the PIP reassessment.  In July 2022 I have submitted all paperwork for the reassessment. I understand that they need more than 3 months to assess. In the meantime I have been more than 28 weeks on sick leave and my Statutory contribution payment has been ceased (through work) so I was told to apply to ESA. I have received a letter today that I have been granted ESA basic rate £77.00 (based on National Contribution Record). I am assuming I am now waiting for the assessment with ESA (I have submitted Capability for Work Questionnaire). For the first interview I needed to come in person, which was a real struggle, but I did it. The lady who is now my Coach will be having monthly chat with me over the phone but I am not required to come in person. She decided to spare me travelling and coming in person. Well I have several questions now:

1.       Is there a clear link between these two benefits? Does ESA Support group give you more points when PIP is assessed and other way around: whether PIP enhanced with help with getting ESA support group?

2.   Do I need to contact PIP and tell them about ESA decision, or should I wait for ESA “proper” final decision (whether I will be in contributory ESA or in Support group ESA)?

3.       Would I need to come in person for my PIP assessment? Now that finally ESA is aware of my situation and sparing me of coming in person.

4.       In order to attend the ESA interview I needed to take a taxi. £11.50 each way. How could I claim this?

5.       Similarly, the PIP assessment could cost me over £ 35 each way? I cannot really subsidise all these interviewing.

I am really new to all this and it is so difficult to catch up with all components of this and at the same time dealing with the cancer. I don’t have much patience or strength to visit Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Is there a good video somewhere explain all this? I could not find anything… There were hundreds of blimming videos how to take a simple Covid test and none for this struggle.

I would appreciate your answers and experices on the matter above. 

Thank you for your time 

G

poppy123456

PIP and ESA are totally different benefits with different criteria. You do not need to contact PIP or ESA to tell them about either benefits.

For the ESA you will automatically be placed into the Support Group/LCWRA if you are receiving treatment for cancer by way of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
For this to apply you must either be actually receiving it, or: you are likely to receive such treatment within 6 months; or you are recovering from such treatment;

If you are then there was a part on the ESA50 form you should have filled in and had signed by your Health care Professional.

If that doesn't apply then you will need to be assessed as normal and an assessment is likely. Which will either be by telephone, video call or face to face at an assessment centre.

You can see the descriptors here, it says LCWRA but Support Group is the same. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

For the PIP change of circumstances the waiting time could be extremely long because of the backlogs so you could be waiting several months. You should expect to have to attend an assessment because most people have them. This can either be by telephone, face to face at an assessment centre or video call.

If a face to face assessment is needed for both of those then you can claim traveling expenses from the health assessment providers. Details will be on their website.

ggloria007

Hi Poppy, thank you for such a prompt reply :-) Yes I have chronic back pain for which I was receiving PIP last 6 years. The cancer is recent and yes i have populated E50 form and my oncologist provided a signature.... Could you please help me with the health assessment providers - links to their website. thank you 

poppy123456

For the ESA if you're having treatment now or expecting in within the next 6 months you won't need an assessment because you will automatically qualify for the Support Group as advised above. You will receive extra money from the 14th week of your claim. (total amount £117.60/week)

For the PIP assessment, who does it will depend on your area. It will either be Capita https://www.capita-pip.co.uk/en

Or Independent Assessment Services. https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/

calcotti

You should also use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk and/or https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

poppy123456

calcotti said:

You should also use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk and/or https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

Thanks calcotti, forgot about those two. OP if you're entitled to UC the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be exlcuded from claiming. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration.

Alex_Alumni

Hello @ggloria007 and welcome to the community I'm glad to see our members could provide you with some useful links to help with your query.

Is there anything else we can support you with in the meantime? Please don't hesitate to let us know. 

I can appreciate how bewildering this all is, and that information on benefits isn't always as clear as it could be. I'm also sorry to hear that you're having to manage a cancer diagnosis at the same time. If you ever need any additional support, I can recommend Macmillan Cancer Support, who can help.

If it's helpful to be on the forum, here's a few of the best places to get started:

• Recent discussions is where you'll find all the latest conversations our members are having

• The categories page shows all the different topics for discussion

• The virtual coffee lounge is a place to chat, get to know other members, and play games too

Let us know if you need a hand with anything further, and we look forward to seeing you around the forum in future.

Alex

ggloria007

thank you Alex, I am new to scope web, but i am meandering slowly :-) 

Alex_Alumni

Good stuff @ggloria007 we've all got to start somewhere as they say