Support group ESA to UC

Thank you Xepher for your post,
As many of us can relate to you, for instance I too am on ESA Support Group.

I have printed your post with all the answers as it could help me if I find myself in the same situation as yourself.

Your previous entry reads:
“ The to-do list has ‘ tell us about your work search’ in it, so I will not sign it. “

I would not want to sign that I am going to look for work either, when unable to work in the Support Group, like I am sure many of us on ESA Support Group.

I am very happy for you that you are all sorted and thank David also for helping you, and in so doing helping me and others, by answering this post of yours.

May I ask you how you got out of signing your commitment online ‘ to tell hem about your work search’?
You say the Manager sorted it out, that it is not necessary to see or interview you

and that you have been able to accept your commitments.

Did you have to accept as a commitment to tell them about your work search?

Many thanks Xepher, I would be so grateful if you could say if ok with you.

Best wishes

Hi Xepher, can see from your other posts the situation is resolved, this is because you stood firm and acted on David's considered advice. I'm glad the JC manager took over so you were not dragged into the JC other than the 1st mandatory interview. As I wasn't a member of B&W this time last year things hit me out of the blue, so it's wise to pop in here for advice with any DWP changes. Thankfully we can both relax a bit now. x

Thank you very much Xepher,

In the light of you unfortunately saying the UC online was saying you were not receiving ESA, despite you being on it and ESA confirming it same as the UC migration helpline,
- I have asked ESA to send me a letter confirming I am on ESA in the Support Group with Severe Disability Premium. I hope I will not need it but just in case I have it ready.

I am sorry you had to go through all this, but you kept fighting and now I am glad for you it is all sorted.

I do not know what I would do without all my fellow B&W forum members and moderators as we can turn to each other for help and advice.

Best wishes

David, I didn't name her but I wish I did.

VIA, actually, I don't like how that part was handled. The person who called me said "just ignore that and sign it." I reiterated again that I was unwilling to sign when job search was in the to-do list still. She said she would accept my commitments for me, so I was strong-armed into clicking yes with it still in the list. I was hoping and praying if it went south the call was recorded. I should have pushed harder but I'm very anxious naturally and autistic, so I feel compelled to people please. The lady seemed more concerned I'd been hassling the work coach all week and he was 'a lovely guy' who was 'just following what he could see, which was that I wasn't in the support group.'

If complaining again gets me the same lady, then I don't even want to. But I don't like how it was handled.

Thankfully, after signing it, the job search to-do vanished from my list. I don't even know what I would have done if it didn't- asked her to put something in my journal confirming our conversation/written in it myself about it.

I had my husband take a copy of my support group status down to the job centre with the work coach's name on it, which I don't know helped, but maybe it did. I think having a letter on hand is a good idea.

Thank you Xepher,

For taking very much for taking the time to reply to me.
I am glad things are sorted for you.

Also because you shared your unfortunate experience where UC online was saying you were not on ESA despite you being on it , I have called ESA and asked for a letter to confirm I was on it in case I am to need it during my managed migration to UC, plus it may also act as proof of address too.
The letter says when my esa started, my current rate and how it is broken down inclusive of the Support Group and Severe Disability Premium.

I do not know if you have seen it , I only noticed it a few days ago, but at the top of B&W page, if we click on News, there are various interesting topics where people write about their experiences and one of them is Managed Migration - Readers experiences.

I am glad despite all the issues you faced it is all sorted for you.

Best wishes.