Underlying entitlement to contribution ESA

Skysummer
Skysummer Online Community Member Posts: 42 Contributor

Can someone please explain my answers as simply as possible.I am about to migrate in the next few weeks. I have been on ESA for many many years. Originally on contribution based and they then moved me over to income related.

I have seen some people getting letters where they were receiving old-style income-related ESA (which I assume I am as it’s been so long), also have an underlying entitlement to contribution-based ESA. When migrating to UC, the contribution-based portion converts to new-style ESA, which will be paid alongside UC in a separate payment, but then deducted from UC.

  1. How do you know if this is you before we migrate, and what does it actually mean for you?
  2. Why would you have an underlying entitlement, if they changed you over to income related?
  3. Does this mean you will be financially worse off?
  4. What other effects, if any does this have?

I understand in the letter it states you need to agree to the Claimant Commitments. If you are in the support group (I am), that will carry over, and the only commitment will be to agree to let them know if there are any changes. Is this corrrect?

I don’t understand all this, and my anxiety is so bad anyway, but now seeing this it’s so very confusing and really worrying.

Thank you

Comments