- Posts: 80
× Members
New Style ESA/ Universal Credit
- JJ
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
3 years 1 week ago #268099 by JJ
New Style ESA/ Universal Credit was created by JJ
Hi Team
My friend has asked me to help him complete a UC50 Form. He was self employed, but is no longer able to work
due to illness, I think he had submitted 'fit' notes to his local jobcentre plus and has had a UC coach. He seems to
have been receiving universal credit sickness payments. He has been provided with a UC50 form to complete, but I am
wondering why he has not been provided with an ESA50. ( Questioning-wise, they seem to be the same.)
I had re-assured him that any savings will be disregarded as his claim would be contribution based as he has a full
NI contribution history, however, I can see that UC is means tested, so would not disregard savings.
I am not sure whether the UC50 form has been provided due to his current UC status, but I cannot see on the form that
there is anything to indicate whether there would be a transition for him onto new style ESA due to his contribution record.
I understand that legacy benefits are being faced out, but I would have thought he would have been able to make a fresh
claim for new style ESA, although I have read that all new applicants are now being pointed in the direction of UC.
This seems to give a presumption that the application would not be contribution based ? Or, is it that, the UC will take this into
account when the application is processed and inform the applicant accordingly ?
I hope you can help.
Thank you so much.
My friend has asked me to help him complete a UC50 Form. He was self employed, but is no longer able to work
due to illness, I think he had submitted 'fit' notes to his local jobcentre plus and has had a UC coach. He seems to
have been receiving universal credit sickness payments. He has been provided with a UC50 form to complete, but I am
wondering why he has not been provided with an ESA50. ( Questioning-wise, they seem to be the same.)
I had re-assured him that any savings will be disregarded as his claim would be contribution based as he has a full
NI contribution history, however, I can see that UC is means tested, so would not disregard savings.
I am not sure whether the UC50 form has been provided due to his current UC status, but I cannot see on the form that
there is anything to indicate whether there would be a transition for him onto new style ESA due to his contribution record.
I understand that legacy benefits are being faced out, but I would have thought he would have been able to make a fresh
claim for new style ESA, although I have read that all new applicants are now being pointed in the direction of UC.
This seems to give a presumption that the application would not be contribution based ? Or, is it that, the UC will take this into
account when the application is processed and inform the applicant accordingly ?
I hope you can help.
Thank you so much.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gary
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 8331
3 years 1 week ago - 3 years 6 days ago #268116 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic New Style ESA/ Universal Credit
Hi JJ
Your friend is not able to apply for Contribution Based ESA (ESA 50) as CB ESA is no longer available for new claimants, instead claimants have to apply for NEW Style ESA (UC50) which is Contribution Based.
New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit and is not means tested with the exception of pension income which can reduce the amount that you receive.
The Income Related benefit that goes with NS ESA is Universal Credit.
Your friend will be in the assessment phase for the first 13 weeks, although it can be much longer than 13 weeks but if they are successful then it will be backdated to the start of the 14th week.
There are two ways of passing the test:
1 - you can score 15 or more points in the assessment
2 - You can be treated as satisfying the assessment without having to show that you score enough points.
In order to qualify for the LCWRA Group you will need to;
* meet one or more of the relevant descriptors, or
* meet one of the associated Exceptional Circumstances rules.
The LCWRA Group descriptors and the Exceptional Circumstances are listed in the Claiming ESA guides in the members area.
NS ESA will end after 365 days unless they are placed in the Support Group. If placed in the support group then your award is indefinite so your existing NS ESA award continues in payment until a new Decision is made.
Gary
Your friend is not able to apply for Contribution Based ESA (ESA 50) as CB ESA is no longer available for new claimants, instead claimants have to apply for NEW Style ESA (UC50) which is Contribution Based.
New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit and is not means tested with the exception of pension income which can reduce the amount that you receive.
The Income Related benefit that goes with NS ESA is Universal Credit.
Your friend will be in the assessment phase for the first 13 weeks, although it can be much longer than 13 weeks but if they are successful then it will be backdated to the start of the 14th week.
There are two ways of passing the test:
1 - you can score 15 or more points in the assessment
2 - You can be treated as satisfying the assessment without having to show that you score enough points.
In order to qualify for the LCWRA Group you will need to;
* meet one or more of the relevant descriptors, or
* meet one of the associated Exceptional Circumstances rules.
The LCWRA Group descriptors and the Exceptional Circumstances are listed in the Claiming ESA guides in the members area.
NS ESA will end after 365 days unless they are placed in the Support Group. If placed in the support group then your award is indefinite so your existing NS ESA award continues in payment until a new Decision is made.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 3 years 6 days ago by Gary. Reason: information correction
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- JJ
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 80
3 years 6 days ago #268128 by JJ
Replied by JJ on topic New Style ESA/ Universal Credit
Thank you Gary, & for the extra advice, that's great.
So I see now that the UC50 form has replaced the ESA50 claim form.
Kind Regards
So I see now that the UC50 form has replaced the ESA50 claim form.
Kind Regards
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David