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UNIVERSAL CREDIT OR ESA

munchy01
munchy01 Community member Posts: 4 Listener
edited September 2019 in Universal Credit (UC)
Having applied twice now for UC for my 16 year old disabled daughter..and it been turned down both times even with ample evidence
i would now have to take it to Tribunal. My question is  have i infact applied for the wrong benefit and it should be ESA?
She fits the criteria for the LCW but they wont seem to take that into account for some reason?
There are infact two list for LCW one is article 8 for more serious conditions and the other is a slightly more general one where you get points
I have sent that an numerous other documents inc a Fit Note but turned down.
Before i go down the route of Tribunal does anyone think that maybe ESA is actually what I should have applied for in the first place
Confused some what!!!
Any help much appreciated
Sally 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,345 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi,

    It will totally depend on your daughters circumstances. Is she a student? Does she claim PIP or DLA? Do you claim tax credits/child benefit for her?

    Once these questions are answered i'll happily help you further.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • david235
    david235 Community member Posts: 170 Pioneering
    A new claim for a 16 year old would have to be for UC, which is now live in all areas. New style ESA is not relevant to a 16 year old as they will not have the required National Insurance contributionsy. In any event, UC on the grounds of inability to work and ESA use the same LCW and LCWRA tests.

    There are two lists of descriptors - the schedule 2 descriptors where you score points for LCW, and the schedule 3 descriptors where if any one applies the claimant has LCWRA. Most (or is it all?) of the schedule 3 descriptors are also in schedule 2 scorint a high number of points.


    The best route ahead is likely to be the First-tier Tribunal. It would be best to obtain the assessment report, if you have not done so already. I would strongly recommend getting help from a local advice provider, though forum members here will do their best to help.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,345 Disability Gamechanger
    david235 said:
    A new claim for a 16 year old would have to be for UC, which is now live in all areas. New style ESA is not relevant to a 16 year old as they will not have the required National Insurance contributionsy. In any event, UC on the grounds of inability to work and ESA use the same LCW and LCWRA tests.

    It may not be as simple as that because if the claimant is a student then they can only claim UC under certain circumstances. It's impossible to answer the questions asked without further information.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • david235
    david235 Community member Posts: 170 Pioneering
    I had understood the question as all other entitlement criteria were met but UC was rejected on the ground of no LCW.

    As you rightly say, @poppy123456 , there are other reasons why @munchy01 's daughter might not qualify for UC - we don't have enough information to say. The decision letter will say why she is not entitled to UC.
  • munchy01
    munchy01 Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply
    So I havent actually been given a reason as to why.
    they keep saying about exceptions at 16..and its this LCW  but I cannot get any further than this
    They wont consider her for an LCW even tho they have a fit note, list of conditions PIP scoring
    Now I was also told not to cancel CHILD BENEFIT ahead of the decision(good job too as its been turned down) So i dont think its that
    i just cant believe its proving this difficult to even get an LCW?! If they did an LCW then they can see working is not an option.
    So do I take it to Tribunal or am I barking up the wrong tree here???

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Hi @munchy01. It says on the letter that your daughter attends a special school, so is still in education, is this correct and is this full time?
    Which rate of PIP does she currently get? In addition to Child Benefit, are you in receipt of any benefits for her (UC, Tax Credits)?
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • SarahUCE
    SarahUCE Community member Posts: 32 Pioneering
    You need to appeal. She meets criteria 2 and should be put on credits-only UC until she has a WCA. 

    There was a change in process recently. It used to be that students in receipt of DLA or PIP had to make a (long-winded and complicated) claim for credits-only New Style ESA, in order to be sent for a Work Capability Assessment before attempting to claim UC. 
    However, they recently stopped this procedure. So long as your daughter is claiming DLA or PIP and has a fit note, they are allowed to claim UC and should be asked to complete a UC50 form.

    The flip side to this, and what I think Adrian was trying to determine, is whether it would be more financially prudent to keep her on your claim for now. But obviously this depends on whether you’re on UC or receive any benefits for her. 
  • munchy01
    munchy01 Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    I dont receive any other benefits for her apart from PIP
    i get carers allowance for her   but we dont get tax credits only Child Benefit  so its definately worth more financially to get UC if we can get them to actually grant her it!!!
    Will appeal!!! to the Tribunal, off to Citizens Advice today to see if anyone there has helped anyone thro the process
    Thanks again for everyones replies

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Hi @munchy01. Best of luck with the appeal and at the CAB today. Please let us know how you get on. :)
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • munchy01
    munchy01 Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    I went to the CAB who were very helpful and agree that yes we should appeal, especially since they havent actually given usa reason why shes been turned down even for a LCW
    They gave me the form to fill out for the Appeal and a sheet on tips on HOW to fill it out, 
    Will be getting on that today and will let you know the outcome of this!!
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,882 Disability Gamechanger
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    That's great @munchy01. I'm glad they were able to give you a starting point for the appeal and some tips on how to fill it out. Please let us know if we can support you in any way. 
    Best of luck. 
    Community Manager
    Scope

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