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Work
Good Morning, I am currently self employed & on NS ESA (unable to receive UC due to household income). However my self employment is not bringing in much income. I am looking to go back to PAYE employment but struggling to find any work within the permitted hours/pay for NS ESA. If I were to take a job that was over that…
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ESA letters sent in error as system is Rebuilt
I received letters including a P45 stating my ESA was terminated. After it making my health extremely poor due to the stress and confusion I called the ESA information number. The man I spoke to explained they are rebuilding their system and that these letters were sent out before they realised the error. I was told that…
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Return of the WCA
It must be about 11 years since my first and last WCA. I'm in the Support Group with LCWRA. I’ll never get better. The best I can hope for is a plateau. Reading today’s news, I’m wondering how soon I’ll be “called up”:…
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What are the benefits of Contribution Based ESA?
Quick outline: Never worked since leaving school at 16, now in my 50's. Always been on income support, incapacity benefit, ESA, support group etc. Since being forced to migrate to Universal Credit, I am now on New Style ESA with support group and Universal Credit LCWRA. As like many others here all my letters have said i…
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Esa paper based assessment
Hi, so i lost my job in August i applied for esa no issues they send me the esa50 form which i fill out send it, they wanted me to travel to the assessment centre which i wasn't able to do so i asked for a phone assessment then they cancel the day of the assessment due to illness they leave me on red for a week so i called…
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research about peoples' experience at social security tribunal hearings.
Hi there everyone :-) I'm Chris, a researcher at the University of Glasgow who is doing some research about peoples' experience at social security tribunal hearings. I'm very grateful that Scope have allowed me to join your forum and tell you about my research. I would love to hear from anyone on the forum about what…
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£20 shop voucher available for sharing experiences with the tribunal
Hi, my name is Chris, I am a researcher at the University of Glasgow researching whether the social security tribunal meets peoples' needs. The project is about trying to make tribunals better and helping to make sure they meet the needs of those who use them. I would love to hear from forum members who want to share their…
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National Insurance credits
Hello, I just wanted to clarify something. I have a client who is age 64 and who's paid 44 consecutive years of NI credits through full time employment. [He therefore more than meets the 35 years requirement for his full state pension.] At age 60, he was medically retired on grounds of ill health. He hasn't worked since.…
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Received message about ESA payment, but only claim PIP
anyone know why i recieved this from dwp ‘We have received your enquiry about your ESA. You don't need to call us. Payment will be paid to your account by 26/02/2026’ i only claim pip anyone can help me ?
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Esa support long term i tried ft work failed 3weeks
Hi , long term on esa support autism adhd late diagnosed ,felt I needed to get out of the house and returned to my old ft job after 8yrs ,but 3 weeks later the signs were showing and so I called esa about the 12week fast track whixh they assured me would be available so okay to try working. Was told No not exactly because…
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Concerned for current claimants and future claimants when they have another assessment
This bill should still be scrapped. Im due another assessment in 2029 as my current award runs out in 2030. Also my conditions have worsened but im to afraid to report this to the dwp as I will have to be re assessed meaning I could lose my claim and receive a new one later down the line which could mean still having my…
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Ongoing welfare cuts that don’t get much attention
Why is nobody talking about the set limits for certain caps, etc: Saving cap limit of £6000 and £16000 was set in 2006 Christmas ESA bonus of £10 was set in 1972 ESA pension threshold of £85 was set in 2008 None of these caps, figures have changed for nearly 20 years and one has remain the same for 50 years. That’s a loss…
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Claim letter only entitled until December 2026
Hi I've just received a letter saying what I'm entitled to I'm in the support group.I carnt remember what last year's letter said, however it says I'm entitled to limited capability for work addition because I'm in the support group an il get £145.90 a fortnight an it's based on national insurance contribution record.…
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Permitted work - PW8 form, will benefits stop?
a number of years ago I did permitted work for 6 months. That cane to a natural end after 6 months with a possibility of more permitted work if opportunity arose. At time I didn’t inform dwp that it ended because it appeared to be opened end and my fear of speaking to them. Dwp were aware of the permitted work so my…
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Will I need another assessment?
This discussion was created from comments split from: Can I claim new style ESA/ when to do it? .
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Why Do Some Landlords Still Reject ESA Letters Even When They’re Legit?
I’m posting this because I’m genuinely curious if others have faced the same confusion and resistance I did. I have an emotional support animal that helps me manage anxiety on a daily basis, and I had an ESA letter from a licensed therapist. Despite that, my landlord still challenged it and tried to pressure me about…
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Council says I receive far more UC than I do – ESA confusion, care charges
I’m really confused and hoping someone can help me understand what’s going on, because the figures just don’t make sense. My council insists that I receive around £244 per week in Universal Credit. In reality, my actual UC payment is £451 per month. I have sent them my Universal Credit breakdown statements to prove this,…
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New style ESA question about letter "changes in social security benefits"
Hi all, I've just received a letter from DWP that's made me nervous so wondering if anyone has had the same and/or has any advice. For context, I'm applying for new style ESA (not eligible for UC since I have over the max. savings amount), sent my WCA50 form a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet about the work…
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ESA being offered at reduced rate by ESA after I get Stste Pension
Does anyone know if the above is an ESA admin error only and that i must contact them to say theyre wrong? Or what should i do? I get Income related ESA at present which should stop at state pension but theyve written twice to say id still be getting it at a reduced rate 'due to age' so they must know i will be of pension…
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UC with ESA, Now stopped Council Tax support
In June last year I migrated from ESA (support group) to UC with an ESA element (contribution based). As a precaution I contacted the local Council and asked about council tax support. I was told it would all automatically be transferred over, and I continued to receive it. Fast forward to today and I have received 2…
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New to ESA & UC - CONFUSED
Hi, I began getting ESA payments in October 2025 as my chronic illness has prevented me from working. I wasn't entitled to any UC as my partner had a job. I've had to move in with my parents to help care for me and we are no longer together. I changed the circumstances with UC and attended a meeting today where the agent…
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Cancel/change claim
I currently recieve pip and the award ends at the end of this year. I am autistic, have chronic pain and mental health issues. My claim is mainly for my mental health, when I first claimed I couldn’t leave the house now I am beginning to be able to and my condition is improving after support and help. I want to cancel my…
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Permitted work
I did permitted work in the past for a charitable organisations a few years ago to cover maternity leave.That was only temporary with the possibility or further permitted work to cover annual leave. I haven’t been never been told that that had ended. I haven’t been back to the organisation since it’s relocation and…
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ESA rules for self employed freelance work - advice needed
Hi, I have several chronic illnesses (Crohn's Disease, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) and was migrated from WTC to UC with transitional protection last year and this has just ended today as we have savings over the limit. My partner is disabled and retired and is on…
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National insurance credits
I currently get contribution based ESA and have done for about 5 years they have paid my NI credits no problem, asking for some advice because I now have to claim UC and my ESA is deducted over £600pm from UC when I receive around £560 which leaves me with a small amount on the date I get paid UC. can I receive NI credits…
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HELp with UC and ESA
I am currently on long term sickness from work my SSP has ran out, I was not informed I could claim ESA, so I ve just submitted a form. i am currently on UC, just for the housing benefit part. I have recieved no money this month in wages. does anyone know how much i would get in ESA
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Hi, my name is PennyL! UC Migration and new style ESA
Hello, can you advise me please? My daughter was migrated to UC but now she has a dual claim, being put onto the New Style ESA. So, they have made it more complicated…! I have had advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau that I can either leave it as it is or close the ESA and it will all become the UC claim. So, all her ESA…
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UC Claim seems wrong ...
Hi. I was switched over to UC from Tax credits last year. I am currently also on ESA & PIP as I am disabled. I still live in the house that my ex and I bought together so I have no housing costs for benefit purposes. My youngest son still lives with me and is in further education. My eldest son also still lives with me,…
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Taking DWP-UC and or their contractor to court for disability discrimination: your thoughts?
See my letter to DWP, (personal information removed) and let me know your thoughts on this matter? I don't want to be subjected to this traumatic loop of abuse on the phone. Has anyone else with mental health Autism, OCD, Panic disorder, severe Anxiety taken or considered taking this cause of action? I have no intentions…
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Questions ref Housing element of Universal Credit
Hi, The home I live in atm is with a good old work friend who has allowed me to live there rent free in his home which is mortgaged. Although I pay towards bills etc I have lived there for 10 + years. Unfortunately he is moving abroad with his partner & the house is going up for sale. I am 58 years old & presently claiming…
