Hi, my name is Sammysingz!

Sammysingz
Sammysingz Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

Hi I've been on IR ESA for ages I received a payment end of December 2025 which technically was Jan 1rts 2026 fortnightly payment my payments were 450 something every 2wks so next payment due 15th jan 2026 empty bank acc so call them they say UC instructed them to close my ESA claim they did and said to call them no more information only the instruction, so i called UC and asked they said they'd sent migration letter and been trying to contact me for a year strange only recently applied/received a social fund budgeting loan December of 2025 too so recent mobile no used given and ticked to be contacted on that no by DWP anyway because they couldn't contact me and i didn't respond to the UC migration letter they had to have a way of making me make the move so that's all they said so i asked what do i do now with no money nothing budgeted to that day as ESA due ...Not now so make a UC claim i did that on 19jan 2026 I was told claim was applied and up and running but I couldn't get any advance or financial assistance at all until my identity was proven I wait 2,3 days and get told this still cannot be done even with further security questions it's a in person requirement so I eventually do that at their earliest offered appointment of 4th Feb 2026 and was approved 400 advance at last nearly 2wks with no money heartbreaking all the while explaining this daily asking what help can I get etc etc on the phone or using journal but nothing 4th Feb then I also asked for the claim to go back to when my ESA stopped so the guy says oh the 16thjan then ! . I SAY YES i know nothing different yet so anyway my next payment of 369 something is due 5th march they said i'm like ok wth? So I have a phone appointment where I get asked about work I say I can't I've been on dla pip and esa for a long time OK so I then enquire about LWCA the back date decision also TP i'm told the back date approved letter says 16th jan 2025 till the 29jan 2026 but they cannot calculate any monies due until i receive my first payment i then receive payment 22nd feb not 5th march and letter decision of backdate was dated after 22nd so they knew my payment had been made calculated etc so im then told a assessment form has been sent to fill it out and send back i did that mid march i think i in the meantime hear all this if you claimed UC within month of deadline or closure letter or not TP should be paid and also disability elements carry over as I don't need to reapply for the LWCA part as received ESA income related and was in support and pip and SDP so they said once I out this to them no I have to await assessment decision and another said no they should just of paid back date already I just asked for a phonecall 3 to 5 days several times to discuss as these call handlers agents me etc writing all these messages it's not getting explained I said where is my year backdate of standard allowance then they say uh?? Wait for assessment decision then they may see what I'm possibly owed but I shouldn't be waiting should I they said my claim for ESA was closed may 2025 they don't have a day date in may though ...and i tecievec payments up to jan 1rst 2026 and a SF loan and they say can't give a date for may and I have to await decision and all the while I asked to dpkit my monthly entitlement of 369 in to fortnight payments so 169 a fortnight plus pip is all I've reviewed as of 2026 except the 400 advance I mean debt the pushed on me that's being deducted obviously what is right and they continue to respond days later and don't call or respond to the direct questions or acknowledging if I'm right about information im told elsewhere contradictory to thier information given so they write a message half answering please help as I have trouble leaving home and going anywhere alone or with company please let me know why they are doing this and what I should pr could do oh and can I MR ESA to reopen because it clearly won't closed in may 2025 of any mayday as they paid until 1rst Jan 2026 im confused

Sam

Comments

  • Santosha12
    Santosha12 Online Community Member Posts: 4,097 Championing

    Hello @Sammysingz, Firstly, a very warm welcome to you.

    I am so sorry you have gone through all of this and especially being left without any money for two weeks; terrible experience. I am not specialised in benefits but I'm sure someone will come along and help you, hopefully this morning. It may take them a little time to unpick/unravel the detailed information you've helpfully provided but you'll get help here so please bear with it.

    In the meantime, did you get access to a Food Bank - if you needed that? The local Council can help with that, or the Citizens Advice Bureau, if you need that sort of help in the future. I know it's also hard if you're unable to get out. Some Food Banks will deliver to you if you are eligible for that too but it's not common in my (limited) experience, I think it varies depending on any vulnerability.

    Anyway my very warmest wishes to you and you're very welcome here. Take good care.