Benefit advice for someone who came off due to inheritance/savings

TimeLord1

It's probably because someone came with you to your initial interview so they probably want to confirm it's you they're dealing with. Was you penalised for failing to attend?

Jaskon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81926501#Comment_81926501

No they seemed fine with it though the automated message is intimidating. They've agreed to phone once I mentioned I already attend in person once recently

TimeLord1

Automatic messages usually start very abruptly with (You and We ) that's the automated usual phrases. I think most people can tell it's automated.

Jaskon

All mine have been by phone since then.

Just had phone assessment and got results back. I'm in the LCW group which doesn't surprise me I knew it would be hard to return to the ESA equivalent they didn't really seem to care about my history.

Also disappointed to hear you don't get any extra payment from claims past 2017? so LCW and standard UC get same?

Thank you for all your help and support

Spoonie_Turtle

If you think you meet the criteria for LCWRA - equivalent of the Support Group - you can challenge the decision. This is especially likely to apply if you were previously in the Support Group and your health hasn't really changed since. If so it would be helpful if you know the exact reason you were in the Support Group before, which descriptor(s) or significant risk.

"To be put in the support group you must get 15 points on any one indicator (except in activities 8, 9b, 10 and 15 - ‘Finding your way and being safe’, ‘Consciousness during waking moments’, and ‘Getting about’). Or meet any of the descriptors in Activity 18 or 19. Or be at substantial risk of harm if you were not in the support group."

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/benefits/employment-and-support-allowance-esa/employment-and-support-allowance-esa

Edit: unfortunately yes it's true that LCW gets no more money than standard UC for claims since April 2017.