I want to move from ESA to JSA

vikixc

Hi guys.

I have been on ESA support group for about 2 years, today I received the capability form to fill in but I don't want to continue my claim or go to the assessment only to be found fit for work (which will happen because I have improved) I also found it pretty degrading the last time.
I would like to go on to JSA and find work again the problem is I dont know how to go about it? E.g. who do I call/what form do I fill in? I have Googled but I can't find anyone who voluntarily moved to JSA.

If you're interested this is some back story:
I have improved quite a but since my diagnosis and medical assessment two years ago. I was severely underweight due to an ED and in a toxic relationship and suffering from other mental problems. I have now been single for 1 year and I'm a normal weight and feeling okay about myself, I will always be at risk of having a mental relapse but I want to find another job. During these to years I have done some courses and learned to drive to improve my job prospects and prepare myself to work again.

I understand that it is going to be hard because I have been out of work for a long time but I don't want to carry on living on benefits and living with my parents because I am nearly 30 and I have always worked before this happened albeit not in long term jobs but I also have no social life and rarely leave my house which I miss, I'd also like to be able to buy a car one day which I can't and won't do with benefit money. It has helped me with the bills and food, but I really want to move on.

So if anyone knows the process of how to move onto JSA please let me know.

pmlindyloo

You will need to end your ESA claim and make an application for Universal Credit.

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

vikixc

Thank you.

vikixc

Should I just call up the DWP and end my claim over the phone?

calcotti

Are you getting Housing Benefit at present. You need to be aware that if you claim UC your Housing Benefit will end and your help with rent will come through UC. This means that if you then fail to do what DWP expect of you and get sanctioned you can see the sanction eat into you rent money unlike with HB.


However if you want to get back into work UC can provide a smoother transition because any UC entitlement will only be gradually eroded as your earnings increase whereas ESA has a cliff edge of abruptly ending as soon as your hours of work or earnings cross the permitted work threshold.


If you claim UC your ESA can continue if it is contribution based but will be deducted from your UC entitlement. Any income based part of your ESA will end when you claim UC.


If your ESA is contribution based I would recommend that you do not cancel your ESA claim before claiming ESA as you could be left with no benefits for a period of time. If you claim UC you can be treated as having LCWRA from the outset because you are currently in the ESA Support Group. Even if your ESA continues you would be due a small monthly top up under UC.


I understand your reluctance to go through the WCA again but if you do return the form and let the process run its course you will continue to be paid until a revised decision is made. This could help you manage your finances while you look for work.

vikixc

BlueTickle wrote: »

I just want to say, good luck. It is a big step but I admire you for doing it! I hope shortly to go back to voluntary work to gain some work experience and then paid work maybe later this year. I am hoping by approaching the job centre they may help me sort some permitted work out. Baby steps at the moment for me.

You could complete the form and aim to get the Work Related ESA Group, then perhaps a work coach can help support you back into paid work.

Thanks for your words of support. Yes, it is a big step and pretty scary!
I hope it works out for you too.:beer:
I didn't know WRAG was a thing o_0

vikixc

calcotti wrote: »

Are you getting Housing Benefit at present. You need to be aware that if you claim UC your Housing Benefit will end and your help with rent will come through UC. This means that if you then fail to do what DWP expect of you and get sanctioned you can see the sanction eat into you rent money unlike with HB.


However if you want to get back into work UC can provide a smoother transition because any UC entitlement will only be gradually eroded as your earnings increase whereas ESA has a cliff edge of abruptly ending as soon as your hours of work or earnings cross the permitted work threshold.


If you claim UC your ESA can continue if it is contribution based but will be deducted from your UC entitlement. Any income based part of your ESA will end when you claim UC.


If your ESA is contribution based I would recommend that you do not cancel your ESA claim before claiming ESA as you could be left with no benefits for a period of time. If you claim UC you can be treated as having LCWRA from the outset because you are currently in the ESA Support Group. Even if your ESA continues you would be due a small monthly top up under UC.


I understand your reluctance to go through the WCA again but if you do return the form and let the process run its course you will continue to be paid until a revised decision is made. This could help you manage your finances while you look for work.

Hi,

I don't receive any other benefits.

So I should claim for Universal Credit now?

If I'm right in thinking universal credit is the same benefit I get now just with a different name and different payment dates?

If I claim for universal credit whilst my ESA is still on going will I have to wait 2 months for a payment like others have had to?

Oh and my ESA is income related.

poppy12345

vikixc wrote: »

Hi,

I don't receive any other benefits.

So I should claim for Universal Credit now?

If I'm right in thinking universal credit is the same benefit I get now just with a different name and different payment dates?

If I claim for universal credit whilst my ESA is still on going will I have to wait 2 months for a payment like others have had to?

Oh and my ESA is income related.

Once you claim UC your ESA will stop so there's still a wait of at least 5 weeks before receiving your first UC payment. Any ESA payments you receive after you've claimed UC will be deducted from the first payment. Single person over 25 is £317.82 per month.

calcotti

Apologies for asking about housing benefit earlier - I overlooked that you said you were living with your parents.

If you claim UC now you will be entitled to the basic amount of £317.82 and the LCWRA element of £328.32 totalling £646.14/month (these figures assume you have no other income and no savings over £6,000). Assuming you are currently getting £127.35/week on ESA the UC amount is slightly more than the ESA. There may be a delay in getting the LCWRA element because UC have to get information from ESA about your existing claim. Your first UC payment will be 5 weeks after you claim - but you can request an advance which then has to paid back by deduction from future payments.

If you are found fit for work (either after a WCA decision or because you choose not to be assessed again) your maximum UC will be £317.82/month which is equivalent to basic ESA (or JSA) of £73.10/week