I've already moved to Universal Credit but I've received a letter from ESA...

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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,858 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1048704#Comment_1048704

    Hi,

    For reference, most of the claimants who now get both NS ESA & UC haven't worked in the past.

    I have seen just one case where a claimant was asked whether they wanted NS ESA or a full UC claim when migrating, but haven't seen anyone cancel their NS ESA claim after migrating. So you could ask NS ESA to end that claim after migrating. Once NS ESA ends then you should go to full UC without any ESA deduction. Just be aware that you will lose the Class 1 NI credits if you stop NS ESA. UC only provides Class 3 credits.

  • phan1
    phan1 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Hey thanks for the reply, very helpful.

    The logic of the DWP never ceases to amaze.

    If I did ask for the New style ESA to be stopped, I wonder if that would end my transitional protection?

    Also, in the real world what difference does Ni class contribution make? I’ve worked for years, i’ve not paid NI for a few years when younger, I’ve been unemployed, I’ve claimed IB, I was on CB ESA for years, I’ve been on IR ESA for years, predicted state pension is the same as anyone else’s as far as I can see, although I could be wrong.

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 368 Pioneering
    edited July 15

    My fear for those on NS-ESA and UC, is NS-ESA payment may come within the scope of these new proposals to make it a time-limited benefit.

    It is already time-limited, unless the claimant is placed in the support group.

    I'm extremely suspicious of their desperation to differentiate between NS-ESA and IR-ESA going forward.

    Unless they offer transitional protection to current NS-ESA claimants within the support group, I've resigned myself to losing the NS-ESA (no UC) I currently receive.

    I don't see them offering that concession without a fight, and I suspect MPs will be more interested in those who also claim UC than the small cohort who can't/don't.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,858 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1048853#Comment_1048853

    You're welcome. You won't lose Transitional Protection because the deductions are made after the elements have been totalled.

    Honestly, I'm still trying to find out what the real world benefits of Class 1 NI credits are myself. They do allow you to claim things like NS ESA & NS JSA - but only if you've worked and paid NI in the past 2 years, which won't be most UC LCWRA claimants. As you say, the state pension appears to be the same.

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