Contributions Based NS ESA to UC query (not transitional)

huckster

At the moment, it appears to be taking on average 3 to 4 weeks from assessment to decision being made. If you are unlucky and are selected for an audit process, then it could be about 2 months before decision outcome is received. And with audit selection, no matter how much people chase or complain, the outcomes still take months.

Altior

I did identify this answer on the UK Parliament website. It was essentially a Scottish perspective question, but the second part seems to apply UK wide. It does seem to indicate that the April cut off may not apply to me as I won't be treated as a new claimant (before or after the new tax year). I hope I don't need to test it…

Altior

I just requested my ESA85. The agent confirmed what I already effectively knew, no decision as yet. The ESA85 can still be sent to me now though, she said it takes 7-10 working days.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872838#Comment_81872838

.ESA85, will give you an indication of the recommendations the Health Care Professional (HCP) has made to the Decision Maker (DM), which often helps in knowing if you have been placed in the Support Group or Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) what will probably be missing is the decision makers score and prognosis. But it will give you a good Idea.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873339#Comment_81873339

Thanks, indeed. My thinking is that I don't want to wait right up until 5th April to apply for UC. If, for some reason, another month passes and there is no further progress, it will take some time to close out all of my savings accounts (circa 20 accounts) and pay off various liabilities, then put together an UC claim. Nearly all of my regular liabilities go out of my account on the 1st (eg mortgage, utilities), so I could potentially be looking at a 1st April application date. I will need to decide whether to effectively gamble or not, and that information will be better to have.

Per chance, are you aware of exactly what I'll need to do to support my declared capital balance on a UC claim? For example, if I confirmed I have £5500, do I need to submit statements of positive balances that add up to that balance. Or are they going to want to see activity in savings accounts that have a nil balance as at the date of applying? As that would be quite an horrendous task lol.

KxMx

You'll only be asked for bank statements if you declare over £6k in capital.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873402#Comment_81873402

Ah that's a relief, thanks. It will all be valid and above board, but I'd rather not have to memorise the huge amount of activity that might be going through my accounts, with swings totalling near £60K. It will also likely cost me tax as the interest in the closed accounts will be paid out in the current financial year, but worth the potential sacrifice I think. FD also don't even pay interest, or at least it goes from 7% to 1% for closing the account early.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873361#Comment_81873361

Those people migrating have mostly submitted details accounts, etc. But nobody is 100% sure when or if they want proof or phone up to get further information. Also be aware the ESA85 description and terminology can sound very degrading to people. Don't take personally; they've never met you. So you should get it Tuesday maybe.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873447#Comment_81873447

Thanks. So I realise the 'system' already knows me from my NI number. Do you mean that I won't need to do everything from scratch, like a brand new UI application. ie that it will identify I'm already claiming CB NS ESA? The only difference I suppose is that there was no capital implication for my NS ESA application, so I was expecting to need to substantiate that. Apparently not if it's sub £6K though.

Spoonie_Turtle

Do you mean that I won't need to do everything from scratch, like a brand new UI application. ie that it will identify I'm already claiming CB NS ESA?

It should do but the advice is usually to send a journal message stating you're claiming ESA, to prompt them to make sure they request the details of your claim from ESA. The two systems are not as joined up as one would assume.