ESA support group and UC LCWRA

shutupshabby

Good afternoon, I’m hoping someone more knowledgeable can help me please. I have been in receipt of ESA (assessment period) since September and claimed UC in November but obviously didn’t get any money as esa is deducted. I received a notification is UC journal saying i am now receiving LCWRA and when I called the esa number and answered the security questions it said I have been moved to the support group. But I don’t understand how it all works, how much is each and how much is cancelled out by the other. I’m a single claimant over 25 if anyone else in receipt of both could shed any light on how this all works I’d very much appreciate it. 

Muttleythefrog

The Work Capability Assessment outcome applies to both benefits. So you're moved to Support Group of ESA (as you have LCWRA) and have the additional LCWRA component added to your U/C award which will boost your U/C entitlement by £390.06/month.

Your ESA (the new increased amount) will continue to be deducted in full from U/C payments as unearned income at a calculated monthly amount (Weekly amount x52/12). I would advise you remain on the ESA even though you get no extra money for claiming it as it could have advantages if the benefit environment changes or your circumstances change (e.g. you become ineligible for means tested benefits due to savings increase).

It's all good and you will have no requirement to look for work or engage work related activities. 

Your next U/C monthly statement hopefully will clarify the payment changes.

Ensure you check your U/C account every couple of weeks or so (or if notified!) in case there is any administrative task for you.

As an aside I would ask for a copy of your assessment report if you don't already have a copy.

poppy12345

Your ESA will increase to £129.50/week from the 14th week. The deduction from UC will also increase to £561.16/month.

LCWRA element is £390.06 on top of your other elements. This is paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition.

Spoonie_Turtle

Further to the answers you've already received, I'm in the same situation and this is how the UC works out

UC standard allowance plus LCWRA works out to more than ESA with Support Group, so from March you'll be getting £758.80 in total per month, your ESA plus UC.

There might be a slight complication with the ESA backpay, due to you from 13 weeks after you started your claim but the UC LCWRA won't be payable until your fourth AP (so, March) and you might have a deduction from UC to pay back the UC 'overpayment' (which is balanced out by the ESA backpay you're getting).  I don't have the brainpower to work out how that's going to look but rest assured you certainly won't be worse off.

A deduction will look like this (this was for an overpayment related to ESA, even though they make it sound like it's something we chose)

jordz5361

Hi, I am hoping you can help me as I am not getting any answers back when I phone ESA

I am receiving the qualifying ESA which is £84.80 per week. After 13 weeks I should have had a work related assessment and then put in either a work related activity group or a support group 

The support group would see my payments go up to £129.50 per week 

Then I would be in a group LCWRA which I believe I am entitled to an extra payment of £390.06 every month from universal credit 

Is this correct in what I would receive from universal credit ? I am over 25 and single and started claiming ESA before UC

UC Housing £451 per month

UC LCWRA  £390.06 per month
ESA £129.50 per week

This is now the 20th week I have been claiming ESA and they have said today that I am in the support group, will I get the back payment for both ESA and LCWRA?
Any comments here would be really appreciated 
thank you 

Muttleythefrog

jordz5361 said:

Hi, I am hoping you can help me as I am not getting any answers back when I phone ESA

Should really start a new thread otherwise could get confusing. But actually your question is essentially answered in previous post to yours.

Once the assessment period matters are out of the way (and backdating dealt with) you'll get the same as Spoonie except you will also get the housing element added to your UC payments.

poppy12345

jordz5361 said:

 After 13 weeks I should have had a work related assessment and then put in either a work related activity group or a support group 

Although the assessment period is 13 weeks, this doesn't mean the assessment process will have been completed within that time. If it takes longer for a decision and you're placed into the Support Group then you will be owed money from the 14th week of your claim.