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ESA & UC Help with claim
- Sam
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2 years 5 months ago #273083 by Sam
ESA & UC Help with claim was created by Sam
Dear all,
I have faced great difficulty over the last few months with my ESA/UC claim. My claim was initially awarded in 2015 for 2 years for Limited capability for work, I was put in the work related activity group.
Once again after two years I had to go through the whole process again, another assessment which didn’t give me enough points and I had to appeal and I was then put in to the same group for 2 years. My claim initially was due to last until April 2020. However due to covid the payments continued.
Now due to the benefits system changing, I am now confused how I am meant to get ESA, upon looking at the new ESA rules you need to have been enployed within the last 5 years. Due to poor health I havent worked in over 15 years.
I am stuck on what to do. In my Journal the work coach has said my ESA claim has expired and i can no longer claim it and to try for new style ESA…
Therefore I have been providing sick notes every 3 months, however this can’t continue as my GP will be reluctant to continue doing this and I really need to claim the correct benefit.
However an agent from a different office said I am still receiving this element and if I need reassessment they will ask to me attend another assessment. So it’s very confusing at this time.
My local agent from the job centre has ignored messages in regards to how I can claim ESA or UC for sick people.
I am confused as to what I should do, as they are not helping or advising me, shall I fill in a UC50 application and send it off?
I have faced great difficulty over the last few months with my ESA/UC claim. My claim was initially awarded in 2015 for 2 years for Limited capability for work, I was put in the work related activity group.
Once again after two years I had to go through the whole process again, another assessment which didn’t give me enough points and I had to appeal and I was then put in to the same group for 2 years. My claim initially was due to last until April 2020. However due to covid the payments continued.
Now due to the benefits system changing, I am now confused how I am meant to get ESA, upon looking at the new ESA rules you need to have been enployed within the last 5 years. Due to poor health I havent worked in over 15 years.
I am stuck on what to do. In my Journal the work coach has said my ESA claim has expired and i can no longer claim it and to try for new style ESA…
Therefore I have been providing sick notes every 3 months, however this can’t continue as my GP will be reluctant to continue doing this and I really need to claim the correct benefit.
However an agent from a different office said I am still receiving this element and if I need reassessment they will ask to me attend another assessment. So it’s very confusing at this time.
My local agent from the job centre has ignored messages in regards to how I can claim ESA or UC for sick people.
I am confused as to what I should do, as they are not helping or advising me, shall I fill in a UC50 application and send it off?
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- Gary
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2 years 5 months ago #273087 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic ESA & UC Help with claim
Hi Sam
Benefits can seem very confusing, it does to us as quite often we are not told all the facts. Quite often a member will tell us that they are in receipt of ESA and then want to know a answer to a question.
Unfortunately there are 3 different types of ESA, 2 legacy ESA (IR ESA and CB ESA) and New Style ESA.
New ESA claimants cannot claim legacy ESA, they now have to apply for NS ESA providing they qualify. NS ESA is the same as CB ESA, they are both contribution bases benefits, the only difference is the name on the claims form, one is called ESA50, the other is called UC50.
If new claimants do not qualify for NS ESA then they have to apply for UC, if they are ill then when they apply for UC, they have to provide a 'fit note' and give it to their workcoach, when it is given to the workcoach this is the start of the assessment phase, you should then be sent a UC50 form to complete, an assessment, if you qualify then you are placed in either the LCWRA group or the LCW group, have a look at our guides to help you decide which group you believe you should be placed in, look at page 26 onwards; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/esa
Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what to do as we do not have enough information, we can only give guidance.
Gary
Benefits can seem very confusing, it does to us as quite often we are not told all the facts. Quite often a member will tell us that they are in receipt of ESA and then want to know a answer to a question.
Unfortunately there are 3 different types of ESA, 2 legacy ESA (IR ESA and CB ESA) and New Style ESA.
New ESA claimants cannot claim legacy ESA, they now have to apply for NS ESA providing they qualify. NS ESA is the same as CB ESA, they are both contribution bases benefits, the only difference is the name on the claims form, one is called ESA50, the other is called UC50.
If new claimants do not qualify for NS ESA then they have to apply for UC, if they are ill then when they apply for UC, they have to provide a 'fit note' and give it to their workcoach, when it is given to the workcoach this is the start of the assessment phase, you should then be sent a UC50 form to complete, an assessment, if you qualify then you are placed in either the LCWRA group or the LCW group, have a look at our guides to help you decide which group you believe you should be placed in, look at page 26 onwards; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/esa
Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what to do as we do not have enough information, we can only give guidance.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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