Coming off UC while waiting on ESA

Liz5012
Liz5012 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello.

I am on UC basic and waiting for WCA assessment. I have been very unwell for a long time and delayed claiming as long as I could. I have also just started new style ESA at basic level. I am thinking of coming of UC simply as it is so stressful, I have had to submit bank statements 4 months in a row and my financial review has been ongoing for two months (nothing suspicious so don't know why). But I simply don't want to have to keep providing statements as I have to call the bank for them each time and wait for them to arrive (my bank only do savings statements once a year) and then I have to contact UC to request to extend the deadlines to provide the statements etc, it's very stressful and takes a lot of my energy). Also declaring savings each month is a nuisance and I panic in case I'm not well enough to submit on time.

If I come off UC, I am assuming that will halt the UC WCA too and I'd have to restart that part for the ESA with new forms? Is that the case please?

Also, is it even possible for me to get ESA support group if I decide to start to phase back in at work for say 1-2 hours a week during the assessment phase, even if there is no way of my ever getting past 10 hours a week? (I don't know if I'll be able to but I'm hoping.)

I'm so conflicted, confused and stressed about all of it, I just want it to stop. If I could come off totally and not worry financially I would, but I can't.

Comments

  • Lauren29
    Lauren29 Community Member Posts: 264 Empowering

    I would advise that you contact your local Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights Unit or a similar advice agency as there are a number of issues here. An advice agency may be able to help you to resolve the issues with UC so that you don't need to having to keep providing bank statements. They should also be able to advise on the impact of a phased return to work on ESA and on UC. It is possible to make a backdated claim for ESA for up to three months but it isn't clear whether you have done this. Depending on how long you have been claiming UC I would be wary of ending the claim because of the impact on the WCA. You say that you are on the basic UC so I assume that you don't have any rent to pay but this is unclear. I am sorry that you feel conflicted and stressed but I would advise not to end your UC claim without seeking advice.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,383 Online Community Team
    edited August 6

    Hi @Liz5012 and welcome to the community. I'm sorry you're so stressed about this. A financial review can take 6 to 8 weeks so hopefully it will end soon. Submitting 4 months worth of bank statements is typical for a review but they shouldn't ask for anymore unless there's an issue. I can understand the stress this causes but I would encourage you to stay on UC. Do you have anyone that could help you with declaring your savings each month?

    [Edited to remove incorrect information]

    It's possible to work part-time whilst being in the support group. It's classed as Permitted Work. Here is more information https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,303 Championing

    The UC WCA is exactly the same as the ESA WCA. Completing just one of those covers both benefits.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,383 Online Community Team

    Oh that's good to know @OverlyAnxious! I thought they were completely separate. I'll edit my comment.

  • Liz5012
    Liz5012 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1142964#Comment_1142964

    Thank you, I think however I may not have a choice as I may be about to hit the threshold for UC. I don't get rent etc.

    So I didn't know what that would mean for the ESA as I've only been on it two weeks as my SSP has just ended. Whether they would then need new forms etc, it's taken so long with the UC, it's all so frustrating.

    And then whether it would mess it up if I tried to work a tiny bit. I don't know if I physically can yet, but I'm not coping at home. I have sought help but being alone and out of routine is the root cause so if any possibility I could manage work then i would want to.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,383 Online Community Team

    I'm sorry you're not coping @Liz5012. What kind of support would help you?

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,303 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1142986#Comment_1142986

    Which threshold do you mean? The top savings threshold for Universal Credit is £16,000. If you're getting close to that, perhaps you need something new, maybe some new furniture or an appliance…or in this weather, maybe an air conditioning unit?

    I'm not sure whether the WCA would be cancelled in a case like this. Personally I wouldn't want to disrupt that process if given the choice.

    You can work on NS ESA, up to 16 hours or £200 per week, you just have to declare it beforehand as Permitted Work.

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