Universal credit

Hi Alexandria,

At this point unless Twiglet has a change of circumstances that will mean a move to Universal Credit if his area is a full Universal Credit area then putting details into the benefits calculator wouldn't really make any difference. Twiglet is already claiming ESA and PIP. As i said, once the managed migration happens for everyone claiming means tested benefits then there will be a transitional protection in place, this means that those already claiming the legacy benefits will not be worse off when transferring over.

Those who have to move across IF they have a change of circumstances before the managed migration then they will be worse off each month.

Hi,

Just because your ESA is due for re-assessment on that date it doesn't mean they'll send you the ESA50 by that date. Lots of people go over the time they should.  You will continue to be paid your money and stay the Support Group until your next re-assessment and a decision is made. Just so you don't worry and panic if they haven't contacted you nearer that date.

PIP of course is reviewed 1 year before the award is due to end.

Thank you,

Hi Kim,

You're right about the UC and DWP not knowing what they're talking about. It's all still very new, and not many do understand it.

It should state in that report what is recommended. LCW, LCWRA or fit for work, did it state which one?

Hi Denise,

thank you you for your reply. 

It it does not state anywhere on the report LCW or LCWRA, although the assessor has written 4 times on various pages that she does not think I am fit for work.

There is a programme on channel 4 tonight at 19:30 about Universal Credit, which should be interesting.

That's very odd because usually it states what's recommended, unless it's special circumstances and i'm not sure which regulation that is under UC. I know it's reg 35 for ESA Support Group.

I thought it was odd too Denise. I callled DWP this afternoon to see f they’d made a depiction but as expected they haven’t but a note has been added to my journal asking for my case manager to contact me by Tuesday the 15th of May, so hopefully only another week to wait.

Thanks Kim, I've checked online and Universal Credit is not in my area yet.

How can the government treat people like that?

Thanks Twiglet,

I didn't see the program but for those already on the legacy benefits like ESA/JSA there will be a transitional protection in place so that we won't be any worse of when transferring across. The transitional protection isn't in place yet, so if someone moves across because of change of circumstances then they will lose any premiums they were claiming on the legacy benefits.

Hi Twiglet, you are lucky that Universal Credit isn’t in your area yet but like Denise has said you will get transitional protection when you move over. To be honest I haven’t had too many problems. That program made me realise how badly some people have & still are being treated. I’m currently waiting for my assessment results, hopefully that will be ok. 

Wow Kim still waiting?? I was actually thinking of you a couple of days ago, i just couldn't remember for the life of me which poster it was that was waiting It's amazing how i remember all of the info regarding benefits but i can't remember specific things. Just goes to prove how much these benefits are in my head, and how much advising i do LOL.

Yes, indeed we won't be worse off when the migration starts and that's a good thing.

Yes Denise, I’m still waiting, I am going to call them again today. It’s nearly 6 weeks now. 

I am not surprised you couldn’t remember me, you help so many people out here with your comments. 

I hope you are well. I will let you know as soon as I get a decision. Don’t hold your breath though ☹️

Hi Denise, I hope you are well. I called DWP earlier this morning & was told the deadline for the decision maker to make a decision on my assessment is 6pm today. The lady then said without me asking, you will get a back payment today before 9:30pm. Fingers crossed I get a good decision. I will let you know as soon as I get the decision. 

Hi Kim,

I'm not too bad thank you for asking. Hope you're well too.

This tells me that if she told you that you'll get a back payment today then you'll be awarded LCWRA (support group) if it was LCW (WRAG) then there would be no back pay because LCW is the same amount as assessment equivalent to WRAG. This is because of the changes that took places April 2017.

Everything crossed for you, because no decision is final until that DM has decided. PLease do let me know. x

Hi Denise,

Suprise, surprise, I have not had confirmation of a decision this evening as promised. I will have to call DWP again the morning to find out why!

 

Hi Kim,

I did wonder why you were told about a deadline, i've never heard of a deadline for a decision before. Hopefully you'll have some news when you ring today. x

I thought it seem unusual for DWP to give a time when a decision will be made and a time when your back payments will be in your bank account. My Esa/PIP Payments are usually have gone into my bank after 2am.

Keep us up dated.

Thanks Twiglet,

If a decision's been made payment is usually made at the same time. If this is the case then DWP can tell you when to expect payment. Payments usually take a few days to arrive in the bank, unless it's a same day payment. They don't often make same day payments for back dated money.

Hi Denise, I was suprised when they told me about the deadline too, even more surprised when she told me about the back payment.

i have called again this morning & I was old they will now esculate to my Case Manager as the deadline has passed. So hopefully I will get the decision today, fingers crossed.

Thank you for you advise Denise x

Me too but I was told earlier today when I called, that the deadline has now passed.

Hi Denise, I have recieved the decision following my Universal Credit Assessment. They have put me in the Limited Capability for work group. They are going to backdate the payment to the 24th October 2017 & have just told me the back dated payment will be in my account by 8pm tonight.

i am so relieved & wasn’t expecting them to do a same day payment.

Thank you for your help & advise over the last few months. I really appreciate it.

Hi Kim,

Do you mean Limited capability for work related activity? equivalent of support group? Because limited capability for work is WRAG and for this there is no bad pay.

Hi Denise, 

No I’ve been awarded the LImited Capabily for work element (126.11 per month) which they call LCW. The other group is Limited for Work & work reletated Activity (LCWRA) an extra £328.44 per month. The LCWRA is the group that people are placed in, if they were previously in the support group of esa.

They are backdating my claim to the 24th of October 2017, the day I was taken of esa, following a failed assessment.

i hope all that makes sense. 

Hi Kim,

 I understand the difference between the 2 groups. LCW and LCWRA but the rules for LCW changed on April 3rd 2017.

When did your claim actually start? If it was after April 2017 then if awarded LCW then there's no extra money, unless you mean they are back dating it to 24th Oct 2016 and not 2017?  The LCW extra payments are only for those who started their claim before 3rd April 2017. I'm just really confused because you say you've been awarded that £126.11 extra per month? Unless they are taking the time that you actually applied for ESA into this too, i do remember that you were found fit for work when you were on ESA.

Sorry for all the questions but i don't want someone reading this and thinking that they will be paid that extra £126 if awarded LCW because as i said they changed the rules for new claimants.

Did you get the backdated money in your bank?