Hi, my name is rustyrocky! recovering from a stroke (my third). Applying for benefits is very new

rustyrocky
rustyrocky Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited January 21 in Benefits and income

Hi All, I’m recovering from a stroke (my third). Applying for benefits is very new to me. My family have applied for benefits on my behalf. I have been accepted for LCWRA. I’m still waiting for a decision on PIP, the application form was received on 21st November and I had a phone interview on 30th December. When should I expect to receive a decision? I’m also receiving SSP and this is my 12th week. Should I apply for ESA?
I would appreciate any assistance or advice that the community can give me.

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Comments

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 2,297 Championing

    Timescales for PIP are up to 12 weeks.

    You can apply for New Style ESA if you are eligible.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#eligibility

    If awarded it will be deducted in full from your UC award.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 693 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @rustyrocky Just wanted to say welcome to the community! 😊

    I can see you've had some great feedback from @Kimmy87 so I won't add anything more, other than to say welcome. But if you do need anything more, just let us know.

    Best wishes,

    Holly.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,469 Championing

    New Style ESA can't be paid at the same time as SSP. You can apply for it 3 months before the SSP ends but payments won't start until 7 days after SSP ended, if entitled to payments. They will look at your NI contributions in tax years 2022/23 and 2023/24.

  • rustyrocky
    rustyrocky Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank you Poppy, Kimmy and Holly for your advice and information. I should be eligible for ESA, as I paid N.I during the relevant time period. I will make an application in a few weeks time, when I reach my 16th SSP payment.

  • Dibby1971
    Dibby1971 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Connected

    Hello! This is what happened to me after working all my life! Have had two major surgeries in the past year.

    You get SSP for 28 weeks and then move on to ESA and then you wait to be assessed to see if you go in the support group which I do but it’s a bit of a wait for that!
    I didn’t apply early but they got it sorted straight away you just need the form from your employer to confirm Ssp has ended obviously not yet for you.
    What I didn’t know until a few weeks ago even though my partner works we are entitled to some UC. If you are contributory ESA that stays the same and they reduce your UC.
    Good Luck!

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,469 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/969313#Comment_969313

    As rusty rocky has already been through the work capability assessment process for UC and been found to have LCWRA, they will not need another assessment for ESA when they claim this. There will still be a waiting period of 13 weeks before the Support Group rate is paid and then it's paid from the 14th week.

    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/969195#Comment_969195

    When you claim ESA you will need your SSP1 form from your employer. Even though you've already been through the WCA process you will very likely be asked to provide fit notes for 13 weeks as part of the claims process, which is standard procedure. You won't need another assessment because when claiming both ESA and UC together, you only have 1 assessment and the decision applies to both benefits.

  • Dibby1971
    Dibby1971 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Connected

    I was just trying to help

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,469 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/969514#Comment_969514

    Yes of course you were and I didn't say otherwise. I was just giving that information because they don't need another work capability assessment, just incase they think that this would be needed.

  • rustyrocky
    rustyrocky Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank you Dibby1971 and Poppy123456, I appreciate the advice you have both provided to me. I find the whole process of making claims very stressful,even though my family complete the forms on my behalf. I’m grateful to hear about similar experiences regarding this, as that eases my anxiety.

  • rustyrocky
    rustyrocky Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Hello community. I have received a back payment from PIP today. I would like to ask you a couple of questions,if I may.

    1: As I’m receiving LCWRA from universal credit, do I need to put a note in my journal to report that I’m now receiving PIP?.

    2: The back payment has taken me above the £6000 line. Do I need to report this in my journal?.

    Thank you.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,469 Championing

    1/ You can tell UC that you've been awarded PIP and what rates. Whether it affects your UC will depend on circumstances and what PIP award you have. Are you claiming UC with a partner? or do you live alone?

    2/ Lump sums for benefits are disregarded for 12 months from the date you received the money into your bank. Therefore you will not need to report it.

  • rustyrocky
    rustyrocky Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank you Poppy 123456. I am now receiving standard daily living and enhanced mobility PIP. I live alone and therefore only claim universal credit as a single person.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,469 Championing

    Thank you. This means your UC will only increase if you're under the age of 35 and are privately renting your home. You would now be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of local housing allowance, instead of the shared rate.

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