Limited Capability for work element in UC

I know from a previous post that Benefits and Work are not going to include Universal Credit but a close friend of mine who had been in receipt of ESA in the support group for 6 years had to apply for Universal Credit when moving from Slough to Lowestoft. Initially his ESA was migrated to UC but was then asked to attend an assessment on the 1st February. He was told a few weeks later that he had been awarded zero points and that 15 points were needed to continue to receive the Limited Capability Element. He asked for a mandatory reconsideration which was upheld so now having to go to appeal. He is also receiving PIP, std rate for daily living and enhanced rate for mobility but according to the DWP that has no bearing on the decision. So as Universal Credit is due to be rolled out across the country and that people on ESA will be migrated over , surely this should be covered.

S

The "ESA" guides already support Capability for Work under Universal Credit and have for some time.

It's important to understand that UC brings together six major benefit of which ESA is only one. We are going to support the "ESA" element under UC but we are not supporting the other benefits that it includes as we don't provide support for them now.

Gordon