Is this ESA letter right?
Hi guys.
I have a maybe strange situation.
I have been in the ESA Suupport Group since 2017 (originally a tribunal decision).
Just in the last 2 weeks I changed to UC and have been placed in the LCWRA group, from the ESA Support Group, and that change happened just 2 days ago.
Anyway I have now been given a work focused interview off ESA and have been asked to attend this week coming……is this right? Already?
I do understand that I will keep part of the ESA payment along with the UC LCWRA grouping payment, and my UC will then be adjusted accordingly, so therefore i know my UC payments will be lower as I'll still receive some ESA payments. However as I just said, I just got this confirmation 2 days ago about the LCWRA grouping but straight away ESA have sent this work focused interview appointment letter…..is this correct and just coincidental, or is it standard practice?
I also thought I had some protection of sorts for a short while, at least, with the whole benefits chane thing.
I have LCWRA agreeing with the Support Grouping decision, but now ESA have sent this work focused interview letter….I don't know what's going on.
Any ideas at all?
Thank you.
David.
Comments
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lcwra is for people who are not fit for work so i would say it’s been sent not knowing you are now on lcwra ring the job centre and speak to someone or on your journal if still on uc
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Part of your ESA was contributions based.
As part of the migration to UC, this has now changed automatically to New Style ESA, and likely triggered this interview.
For someone in the Support Group it's a formality to agree your commitments, which will be to keep them informed of any changes.
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Put in your. Journal that your in lcwra.sometimes it takes a few weeks for ESA to confirm.u shouldn't have to do anything apart from accepting your commitment.but just ask in journal to be on safe side.hope this helps
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Hi FOXBAZ69,
Can I ask why you changed to UC when your were on ESA and in the support group
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Hi.
Yes, it was because i had received the migration letter over the Summer and my end date for the migration was coming up.
After that date you don't get payment protection etc, so i had no choice really. Its not something i would have done otherwise.
David.
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It would have been because part of his ESA was Income Related, one of the benefits that UC is replacing.
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Thats right, it was.
Im not sure what this appointment ive got coming up will entail. As i said, ive been in the support group since the Tribunal in 2017 and im just massively worse now than then. Is to look for a job or just to commit to something or other? I explained im housebound and the only place i go is to see my specialist twice a year. I can't walk without my frame, cant get up or sit down. All my food is chopped up because of my fingers and my partner has to dress me because of my hands. ESA were originally happy with this, but now its "new style esa" im not sure whats going on..... David.
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You are still in the Support Group for New Style ESA.
As such the commitments meeting will be just a formality, of you agreeing to keep them informed of any changes.
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Ahhhh i see....
The actual letter says its a work focused interview and to prepare to give them notice of any information that may help me work etc.
It does also say its a claimant commitment meeting as well.
I thought it was like an over the ohone medical, with all my cans and cannots to be discussed, and for some decision to then be made. You don't think that is the case?
Can i ask, is this something you have had yourself?
David.
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No it's not a Work Capability Assessment.
The letter will be a generic one for any new claim.
When I claimed UC in 2022 my ESA had been a combination like yours, but at that time the procedure wasn't the same I didn't have to agree to/do anything within NS ESA.
It's clearly changed since, this question has come up a lot recently several members on here have been through it.
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Oh i see. Its so good speaking to someone with experience. I have experience of other stuff with ESA and PIP etc but UC is completely new to me.
You don't think it could be a decision thing to get me out of the Court appointed Support Group? And i actually wonder if they could ignore the Courts decision, 7 years later?
Thank you, anyway. Many thanks.
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Absolutely not.
As I advised, it's just a formality at the start of a "new" claim for NS ESA.
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Thank you for all your information. You have been a great help. And what you are saying makes absolute sense as well. I just wished they'd worded the letters a bit calmer ha ha.
Thank you!!.....
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There's so much much happening concerning benefits, people don't know if their coming or going
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That ESA letter will be a standard letter, which is sent to everyone claiming New style ESA for the first time. Even though your ESA is just reverting to it, the letter is still sent out to you.
You will very likely just receive a quick phone call to agree to your commitments, rather than having to attend in person.
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I completely agree. I'm not naive, i understand the need to weed out the able bodied and the need to streamline the whole benefits system, but take my UC claim for example. No money for 5 weeks off them. They'll only tell me what money I'll get 4 days before its due. So if its wrong then it wont get fixed in time which means a wait until next months money to get that shortfall back. Knowing UC, they'll then say my monthly income is too high and change the following months.....who knows. Also it doesn't take 5 minutes to look through our files to then decide if were long term disabled or not. For example i have xrays, bloods and all the medication i take and equipment i need to move. Its quite obvious someone like me is genuine. So why make me more stressed than i need to be…ahh well. But i do agree with you.....
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Hi Poppy, you helped me previously, thank you very much. What commitments will i need to commit to? I'm mostly housebound, i cant do anything without my carer....do you know what I'll need to commit too?
Thank you.....
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It's not 5 weeks without any money because your Income Related ESA will continue for 2 weeks. As part of your ESA is continuing to be paid it probably won't even be 3 weeks without money. You can also request an advance payment for UC but it does need to be repaid back.
Usually your UC statement will appear around a day after the last day of your assessment period, so about 5 days before payment is due. It will be this way every month. As UC entitlement is based on your circumstances on the last day of each assessment period, there's less chance of any overpayments.
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Hey....
I get that. It's still definitely a harsher way to pay people tho.
I mean, without know an income, thetes no doubt thats its harder to budget moving forward. I actually do understand the need for streamlining the benefits tho, i did mention that earlier. I just feel tgat sometimes when you receive letter, phones call or even messages, there seems to be a lack of understanding that a lot of people are in this situation because of stress related illness, but the way a lot of messages that come across have a complete lack of empathy for those struggling. I know things aren't perfect and they never will be, but i think with just a little tweaking hete and there, it could help a lot. I just want to say again Poppy, thank you for your messages a few days back, and of course i do appreciate your time today. Its great to see people on here helping other people. There is hope for us yet lol.…
David.
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this dosent sound right. You was in the support group ESA which means you do not need to look for work or attend any job interviews. It may be that it’s been sent in error. Put a note in your UC journal and explain the situation. I think it is UC you need to speak with as you have been migrated over. But you clearly state you have been pkaces in LCWRA group. But contact ESA as they are the ones who sent the letter. Hope you find this assuring But please I wouldn’t worry as you are in the protected group
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