Migrating from esa support group to Universal credit

emeraldmay · July 4

Hello.

I wonder if anyone can help me . I have just filled out the universal credit application online .I got the migration letter back in April (moving from esa Support group) but waited until last couple of weeks as well, pure terror and not being able to face it. as I'm sure people on here will know how terrifying Dealing with DWP is. Anyway I'm not very confident online but managed to fill the form out OK. I listed all my conditions and disabilities where prompted and pressed send claim button.

I got a message in the Journal message box almost straight away saying that I will be getting New style Esa and universal credit and I have a telephone appointment on 18th July. I thought that wasn't to bad so far, until a few hours later I got another message quite an intimidating bold message saying that I need to attend the Jobcentre Plus on 11th July that's before the telephone appointment I had been given earlier in the day.

I have physical disabilities and mobility problems, I carn't walk very well now because of scoliosis and arthritis in my spine. I have a servere pelvic organ prolapse as well and doubly inconvenient.

As Well as this I have agrophobia and PTSD. which I put in the list of conditions all of which have been diagnosed.

There is no way I can attend the Job centre for this appointment. I am very confused and upset as I live alone and don't have anyone to help me with things like this . I carn't understand why they have given me a telephone appointment then given me a very stern message to attend the Jobcentre. I have left two messages in the Journal yesterday but nobody has messaged me back. I don't know what to do. they must know I won't be able to attend the Jobcentre. I've been here before with DWP with assessments for ESA and PIP. It sometimes feels like they enjoy terrorising the sick and disabled.

I'm worried now that if they don't respond to my messages and don't attend the Jobcentre appointment they will stop my claim and my money. I get pip but live alone and live in social housing bungalow that I get housing benefit for . I'm worried that my rent will get delayed and with living alone there is no other income .

Oh also a few weeks ago I got a letter fro ESA saying they have looked at my claim again and a breakdown of what I get now. Exactly the same. I thought it must have been a mistake as they told me that ESA would end on July 11th. Very confusing.

Does anyone know what I should do next? As anyone had this happen to them. Sorry for the long post . I Just feel a bit lost and helpless does the government know what they put people through.

Thank you in advance.

Emeraldmay.

Charlie_Scope · July 5

Hello @emeraldmay and a very warm welcome to the community.

I'm sorry this has caused you so much distress. Most people are invited to the job centre after signing up to Universal Credit in order for them to verify ID, bank details and accept claimant commitments. Does it say on the message anything that might indicate what the appointment is for?

emeraldmay · July 5

Hello @charlie _scope and thank you for your reply.

The first message I got was for a telephone appointment on the 18th July. That said it was to accept my new style employment and support allowance. I thought the identification could be done in this telephone appointment I've read somewhere about biological telephone appointments. It was a few hours later I got the message in Big bold capital letter to attend the Jobcentre on the 11th July. In the to do lists section the message is under standard Identification appointment booked at Jobcentre.

I'm 58 now and moved to a social housing bungalow 8 years ago. I'm barely functioning with health conditions. I have home appointments for Doctors visits and nurses for blood work. I get all my shopping delivered. I cannot go out because of my PTSD and agrophobia but also besides that I am doubly incontinent due to a prolapsed bowel and bladder that I need to have surgery on but I cannot go to hospital. I live on my own and don't have any family. My cousin used to help me but she passed away last year.

I'm really scared about this because if they don't look at my messages they will think I just haven't turned up.

If I lose any money I will not be able to keep on top of my bills. I've only just started breathing again thinking my pip will get taken away.

I'm not very good with working money out either as I've always been discalculas but past year or so making mistakes with money and short term memory loss. The Dr says it's mainly a side effect with the medication I am on .

Sorry for digressing. I appreciate your reply. I Just hope they contact me before the day of the appointment.

Kimi87 · July 5

New Style ESA and UC are separate benefits so it requires two appointments.

The New Style ESA appointment is usually done by phone as standard.

You've been asked to attend in person for UC id verification. The default is to book an in person appointment for id check, unless the claimant requests otherwise.

Hopefully they respond soon and change that appointment to a biographical id check at your request.

For an explanation of why you will be getting NS ESA, please see this thread:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/130268/ive-already-moved-to-universal-credit-but-ive-received-a-letter-from-esa

emeraldmay · July 5

Thank you kimi87.

I think I understand now. I will keep checking to see if they respond. They don't explain things to you very well. I don't have photo identification no passport or driving licence. I have got my birth certificate and council tax statement and energy bills I carn't find my medical card but I have my medical card number would that be enough? Thank you again for your help and advice.

emeraldmay · July 9

Hello .

I had a telephone call on Monday from a lady she said she was from the home visits team DWP.

She said she needed to come to my home to check my identification and said she needed to look at my bank card.

I'm beyond anxious about this I don't have anything to hide but it feels like an invasion of my privacy safe space. I live alone and have a key safe for my cleaner and the lady who brings my medication because I struggle to get to the door. I am worried now as I didn't and don't want to give i her the code because I don't know her. but now worried because this means I have to let her in and she might presume that that if I can walk to the door I could walk to a taxi and go to the Jobcentre. I have agrophobia too . Am I over thinking this. Has anyone had a home visit for identification?

I carn't help but think they are checking up on me .

I am I bit confused that the DWP don't have all my details as I am migrating from esa support group .

They are keeping me on esa anyway and universal credit. I don't why they have put people through this it is so distressing.

Any help on what to expect would be very helpful and I would be very grateful. Thank you.

Kimi87 · July 9

All applications for UC are treated as new claims, hence the need to prove id.

The DWP lady is visiting to carry out an id check, not any form of medical assessment or judgement. People have home visits for all sorts of reasons.

Six legacy benefits are ending and being replaced by UC, including Housing Benefit (for those of working age) and Income Related ESA.

Contributions based ESA is not one of the benefits being replaced by UC.

emeraldmay · July 10

Thank you kimi87.

That has put my mind at rest . Thank you for explaining and your words of reassurance.

OverlyAnxious · July 10

Hi,

If you're worried about security, you could ask the last trusted person to change the code on the day that the assessor comes. Then change it back to the original one afterwards.

Though if you can get to the door, that probably is the more secure option.

emeraldmay · July 10

Hello overlyanxious.

Thank you for your reply.

I could do that but I have PTSD I was sexually assaulted whilst walking home when I was young and it's left me with trust issues. I know the Person attending from DWP is a lady but I feel incredibly vulnerable when a stranger comes into my home and giving them my code isn't something I'm comfortable with. I know that time will come when my condition worsens but I think it's the fact that it's the DWP they always terrify Me. She sounded very nice on the phone . I will go and let her in . I'm sure she will see I have mobility difficulties.

Thank you for responding.

Emeraldmay.

Migrating from esa support group to Universal credit

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