Uc, esa

essex143

Currently I'm on Universal Credit, however my health has gotten a lot worse since first claiming. I've gotten fit notes from my doctors for a few months, unfortunately I don't think things are going to get better anytime in the future (thinking realistically). I've been looking it up and I think the best option forward is to claim ESA rather than UC. I was wondering how I'd go about applying, and if already being on UC would affect this in any way. I also have standard rate daily living on PIP, which may assist in ESA (not 100% sure).
With my current situation, I want to know that trying to claim won't affect my UC payments or even stop it and be denied ESA as well. I don't have much knowledge about benefits so any relevant advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.

sportsarb

What have you been doing with the notes you are getting from your doctor?

Have you registered a change of circs on your UC claim?

What were you doing before your UC claim? Working? If so, over what period?

You're unlikely to be much better off claiming ESA, you can't claim the income related element, only the contribution based and it will be taken into account against your UC if it is awarded.

calcotti

ESA and UC are not either/or alternatives, both can be claimed. However claiming new style ESA (the only ESA available) will not generally improve your finances as every a£1 of ESA will be deducted from your UC. The exception to this will be if you other income which is already reducing your UC to an amount which is less than ESA would be. You would need to meet the National Insurance contribution requirements in order to claim ESA.

You need to ask UC to carry out a Work Capability Assessment to see if you could qualify for extra money in your UC. If you have been providing Fit Notes to DWP for sometime they should have done this.