ESA to Universal Credit

In August 2017 I attended yet another ESA assessment. The result of the assessment was an allocation of nil points and the assessment was riddled with inaccuracies bearing no relevance at all to the conversation that actually took place between my assessor and I. I was placed on the minimum amount of Universal Credit overnight and lost my severe disablement allowance. The affect of that decision caused me real hardship, my physiotherapy and any support had to be cancelled and I have struggled to survive ever since. My despair was further exasperated by fortnightly trips to the job centre and regular interviews with my “Work Coach” at Bootstrap where I was subjected to great indignity. This was after having worked as a disabled person, full time for 42 years, until I was made redundant as a direct result of Government cuts to Frontline Services and a significant deterioration in my health that is progressive and degenerative.

Following the appeals process took me 7 months. My appeal took place in March 7th and was found in my favour. The DWP did not contest my appeal and apologised after my tribunal stating my ESA should never have been stopped. Meanwhile Burnley, where I live, is now a Universal Credit area. I cannot return to ESA. I have permanently lost my severe disablement benefit and a month after winning my tribunal, my benefits still have not been adjusted despite contacting Universal Credit helpline on several occasions. I have been treated disgracefully and I think it is a deliberate ploy to cut people off ESA at the earliest point when the area has started rolling out Universal Credit, because even if you follow the appeals process, you still loose even if you win. I have lost £30 a week severe disability allowance permanently, saving the DWP thousands. Many others will find themselves in the same position. Apparently my case is now with the “Decision Makers”. I thought the Tribunal was in place for that.

Thank you Gordon. I didn’t know that. It should not be allowed that if you live in a Univsal Credit area, you cannot return to ESA even if a rogue assessment is overturned. This will be used as a way to immediately save money and will have serious implications for disabled people. Those few who fight to overturn poorly made decisions will still loose badly needed funding.