Not put in the contribution esa support group years ago

Hi David,

I am not sure if you remember but this all started because I was told that I had been picked at random to look into my housing benefit. I had to fill in a form where I declared my savings that was over the limit for income-related benefits and I also explained that since 2021 I have been a part-time student. I received a letter saying they were going to stop my housing benefit unless I provided evidence of being a part-time student, nothing about my savings. I did and they have continued my housing benefit. Anyway, as you know the problem has been about migrating to universal credit and I have been confused about if I was put in the contributory or income-related support group for ESA particularly because I was a teacher for 12 years before my disability started. I ended up phoning Universal Credit and they told me that it did not matter what savings I have for the first 12 months. So I finally filled out the universal migration form and was honest about all my savings. If you can remember they gave me a back payment in 2015 of £15,000. I then created a Haringey account and was shocked to see that all my benefits are income-related. I have now been given a universal credit interview on this Sat 22/02. Can you please give me any advice about what to expect, what I need to bring. I am so scared. I have medical letters, the original letter when they gave me the back payment. I am in the support group so they have the evidence that I cannot work. I have brain damage - refractory epilepsy.
Best wishes
Danielle

Hi David,

Well here is what has happened. They have removed all my benefits except for PIP. That means I have no housing benefit or ESA. Universal credit is nil amount. The decision was made a couple of weeks ago. Their reason is, as we have previously discussed because I have too much savings. However, as a reminder, I never knew I was on income-related ESA. I was in the support group with the highest payment. I assumed I was in the contribution group because I worked for 15 years prior to claiming. I was also given a back payment of £15,000 from ESA when they put me in the support group in 2018. I am trying to appeal the decision but cannot see that I will win. How am I supposed to live on my PIP? My savings will run out. I am in such a dark space. I have applied to a new style ESA, but who knows how long that will take and how much I will get? I did actually contact ESA and some recorded message said I get £200 fortnightly. I haven't. I am confused about how that would be possible if I migrated. I stupidly thought there was a 12-month grace period if you had savings and migrated to universal credit. Apparently, that does not apply to me. What am I going to do? I am severely disabled, and this pressure is affecting my health. I have life-threatening uncontrolled epilepsy and cannot cope.
Thanks Danielle

HI David, So they have taken away my housing benefit. I have no universal credit. I have been left with PIP and the contribution support group ESA. Now they are telling me I will need an interview to review my ESA! Is this normal? I cannot live if they take that away from me. Just to remind you I have a life threatening epilepsy condition due to brain damage. I am so upset and distressed.
Danielle