ESA telephone assessment

Hello

I had my telephone assessment in August
I got a letter from UC saying they put me in the limited capability work related activity group
Before I was in the support group
I did record all of my telephone assessment
I’m not happy at all about this and will challenge their decision in Court!
How many weeks will it take to get a mandatory decision?
Thank you

I think you have a month to ask for a MR (though 13 months with good reason for the delay)
, how long it will actually take to process though I am unsure. I would assume it will vary by location as a lot of places seem to have huge backlogs right now. But I have heard of it being as quick as a couple of weeks, then again I have heard a few peoples taking a few months so it is hard to say

Hello Sarah,

Were you claiming ESA previously because you mention you were in the Support Group?

After your telephone assessment in August, you say you have been placed in the 'limited capability for work related activity group' for UC. Did you have to apply for UC due to a triggering event which meant you could no longer stay on the legacy benefit? My understanding is that the LCWRA group for UC you've been placed in is the same as the ESA Support group so not sure why you want to appeal that. It's the same money essentially. It just is called LCWRA rather than Support group. You can tell it's the same from the way the money is broken down on your award notice.

The mods can correct me if I have this wrong.

Libra

wrote:

Hi libra1

You are correct, except LCWRA element is more that ESA support premium.

LCWRA = £343.63 pm = £79.30 pw vs ESA support £39.40 pw although there are no disability premiums paid to UC claimants whereas depending on your circumstances ESA claimants can also receive a SDP + EDP (£67.30 + £ 17.20) = £84.50 pw.

Gary

Thank you Gary for the clarification.

Looking at Sarah's old posts, she was on ESA CB and ESA IR, but applied for UC when her partner moved in (triggering event) and her ESA IR was stopped but her ESA CB continued (but should be £ for £ deducted from her UC award). That explains why Sarah mentions getting a decision 'letter' from UC following a WCA telephone reassessment.

I just wanted Sarah to be reassured that under UC, LCWRA (limited capability for work related activity) is the new name for what was ESA Support group... unless she has misread the decision and she's been put in the LCW (limited capability for work) group for UC which is equivalent to ESA WRAG. I think Sarah might be confused because the UC LCWRA is a form of words which is similar to WRAG (work related activity group) and thinks her award has been downgraded. Best she confirms with the DWP by phoning them to check she is in the equivalent of the ESA Support group under UC by being found to have 'limited capability for work related activity'. She has nothing to appeal, if so.

Thank you for correcting my misunderstanding about the money paid and that essentially UC LCWRA pays more than ESA Support group (unless you qualify for premiums with ESA).

Libra