Esa and UC

smithgem80
smithgem80 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited March 2023 in Benefits and income
Hi, I hope I don’t sound thick but I’m confused 🤪 

I have been on UC for around 3 years, I had a stroke in September so sent in sick notes. In December I received a booklet from uc to fill in, long story short I was placed on LCWRA last week (March 23) My 6 month ssp was coming to an end around this time and I was advised to apply for esa to continue with ni contributions (which I did). Now I am confused as I looked online and it says I would get around £350 on top of what I already in receipt of but today in my uc payments it has been deducted. 

Can someone please explain this to me
thanks

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    If you are paid ESA that will be deducted from the UC. Your total joint income will remain unchanged but will be paid in fortnightly payments from ESA and monthly payments from UC. The UC therefore has the LCWRA added but the ESA is deducted.
  • smithgem80
    smithgem80 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    So should I get the LCWRA extra amount in my UC? Just this has not been reflected in this months payment
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    smithgem80 said:
    So should I get the LCWRA extra amount in my UC? Just this has not been reflected in this months payment
    The UC statement should show the LCWRA added in the calculation of the maximum UC entitlement and the ESA is then deducted after that.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    There’s a full 3 month assessment period waiting time before the element is paid. It’s then paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition/sent your first fit note.
    What date did you report your health condition and what date do you usually receive your money each month?
    As the decision was only made last week then I wouldn’t  expect you to have the LCWRA element included this quickly if your statement was due soon after the decision was made. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    poppy123456 said:
    There’s a full 3 month assessment period waiting time before the element is paid. It’s then paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition/sent your first fit note.
    What date did you report your health condition and what date do you usually receive your money each month?
    As the decision was only made last week then I wouldn’t  expect you to have the LCWRA element included this quickly if your statement was due soon after the decision was made. 
    I implied OP to mean that health was reported in September so assumed that LCWRA should be payable from January or February. I agree that UC may not have yet taken the decision into account given that the decision has just been made.
  • smithgem80
    smithgem80 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    I believe I sent my first fit note in November. Yeah that makes sense as it was only last week. I was getting confused as thought it was paid through ESA support group
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Then then your first payment won’t be Jan or Feb. It will be either March or April. Depending on the exact date you reported it and what date you usually receive your payment each month. 

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