Hello! Looking for advice on move to Universal Credit please?

Lemon3989
Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
edited November 2024 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello

I’ve been in the support group for ESA and have had PIP at the enhanced daily living and mobility rate due to severe ME/CFS since 2014. I had a home assessment for PIP as I’m not able to travel to an assessment centre, but my ESA was only ever assessed on paper so I’ve never had an in person WCA.
I was under the impression that I’d be automatically be moved to the LCWRA group on my move to UC, but I’ve now been told on my journal that I need to supply sick notes. I’ve not had to do that for 10 years. Should I expect to be told I need to have a in person WCA, or should the DWP be moving me over to LCWRA automatically? Any advice very gratefully received!

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,818 Championing

    You will be moved to LCWRA, but it takes a few weeks usually for ESA to send your details to Universal Credit.

    At this point, all the UC system knows you've reported a health condition, hence the request for a Fit Note.

    Once they know that you are in fact moving from ESA Support Group, you will have LCWRA added to your claim.

  • Lemon3989
    Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thanks so much for the reply.
    Initially they said I didn’t have to supply a sick note, but are now saying that as I haven’t had a WCA that I need to. I’ll get a sick note from my GP anyway, as they’ve said they’ll stop my payments if I don’t supply one.
    I guess my concern is that I’ve never had a WCA (only a form/paper based one).

    It’s difficult to know when and where to add relevant details to your journal - under which category especially. I’m wondering if I should report details of my ESA support group status and PIP status to my work coach too? The whole process is so opaque…

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,818 Championing
    edited November 2024

    You have had a WCA, the paper based one counts and if you hadn't had one, you wouldn't be in the Support Group.

    It is recommended to add a Journal note stating you are moving from ESA Support Group.

    Possibly this is why you are being told you haven't had a WCA- because under UC you haven't and they don't know about your ESA yet.

    It doesn't matter as much for PIP, as there are no disability premiums under UC, but still wouldn't do any harm to inform them about that too.

  • Lemon3989
    Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Ah, ok. Thank you!

    I don’t suppose you know which category it’s best to leave the message under? There are so many and I want me be sure it’s picked up by the right person. ‘Note for my work coach’ or ‘service issues’ perhaps?

  • g7iqj
    g7iqj Online Community Member Posts: 105 Contributor

    YOU should go over to LCWRA/ UC YOU have had WCA paper based as law so in esa support group . BECAUSE UC , treats u as fresh claim , dont have esa info confirmation WCA . THEY ask fit notes . IT generally takes 4, 5 weeks for UC to get ESA confirmation you in support/ had WCA . J ust put note on ur journal to COACH ur in support group esa/ had WCA COMES under rule 19 . IF bad mobility issuies ASK COACH FOR PHONE APPOITNMENTS . NOT jobcentre vists . .UNDER 2010 EQUALITY / DIVERTISTY ACT //// PHONE/// NOT F2F APPOITNMENTS . RESONABLE ADJUSTNMENTS . IF u cant travel . WHOLE UC system flawed it was designed pure cost cutting austerity meassure by NEOLIBRAIL/ CAPATAILIST TORY PARTY . Not for benefit off claimiant / customer . I 61 now due to over 44 yrs of & work industrial accident . HAVE mobility issuies 2nd degenrative changes DISCS L4/ L5 to back / start stenosis. For life treatnment ,pain manadge , NO cure HAD WCA , by phone BIT battle MAXIRUS young nurse age 23 only trained 18 mouths . NOT spine spechialist . AWARDED (LCWRA ) B4 this had supply fit notes 10 weeks & have fortnightly appoitnments by phone with coach . NOW LCWRA = LOW CAP FOR WORK & WORK RELATED ACTIVITY . NO APPOITNMENTS . JOB SEARCH , GO WORK . I like lot others payed 42 yrs Class 1 tax/ ni (PAYE) OUR money wee all pay in NATIONAL INSURANCE , To pay for our New state oap , NHS , Benefits we may claim UC, PIP ,AA ,LCWRA . GOVERTNMENTS inc 2024Labour, mr starmer , racheal reeves , DWP , liz kendall . T hey see / except this . LCWRA = U UNFIT TO WORK Simples .

  • Lemon3989
    Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thank you so much - that’s very reassuring.

  • g7iqj
    g7iqj Online Community Member Posts: 105 Contributor
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing

    Please make sure you do not provide a fit note because it's not needed. Put that message under work coach.

  • Lemon3989
    Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thank you. Could there be repercussions if I do supply a fit note? They’ve said my benefits will stop if I don’t supply one. So confusing!

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing

    If you provide a fit note they may refer you for another work capability assessment. Fit notes are not needed because you're already in the Support Group so are entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

    The reason it's asking for fit notes is because you reported your health condition when you filled out the form. As already advised, they do not yet know that you're in the Support Group because ESA hasn't sent your details across to them. It's standard procedure for them to ask for a fit note.

    Your UC will not be affected if you do not provide a fit note.

  • Lemon3989
    Lemon3989 Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thank you for such a clear and reassuring explanation. That’s so useful to know.

    Thanks again! :)

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