Contributions Based NS ESA to UC query (not transitional)

KxMx

You will still need to make a new full UC application.

Behind the scenes it will then pick up on your New Style ESA claim, apply the correct deduction & award LCW/LCWRA element.

After your UC award is live, you may be randomly selected for a review. Some people are selected more than once.

The standard request is ID & 4 months of bank statements for all accounts. Occasionally they ask for other information.

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit-reviews

Altior

Thanks all!

I just want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up to pull the UC trigger if/when needed.

I'm sure that some pretty interesting evidence turns up in these claims, but the activity in my accounts won't be very commonplace in a UC claim I suspect (though all legit). If it happens, I'll just need to deal with it as things arise. I just want to get going really but throughout this whole process from last summer it seems like I am permanently waiting for something outside of my control to happen!

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873640#Comment_81873640

Deal with the outcome first thing then, you can look into the UC claim and point you through the process.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873806#Comment_81873806

Definitely that should be my approach. On the other hand, there is a lot of planning to do, and I'm likely to meet a few roadblocks along the way. I am also learning even more as I go along, if that was possible. For example if I do get SG, I will get a small amount of back payment and that will be disregarded for 12 months. Maybe £1K max but a little more headroom.

I did identify something very useful, in my dummy benefits calculator runs, it initially indicated that I would have to get below £6K capital to qualify for UC. However, I did a dummy run in the support group, with this, as I have more income from UC it means I can go up to £15.999K capital and still qualify for UC. It's completely counterintuitive! This is far less pressure and I'd have a bit more flexibility. The drawback is that I believe I would almost certainly have an instant review triggered if I declare £6K to £16K capital.

If the outcome goes against me then all this research will count for little, but I feel there is value in conducting it in advance of the decision.

TimeLord1

I would say they could potentially request regular statements either way. I think it's a software bot that will highlight anything to be checked once you submit bank account details to UC between payments in and bank bots. Hopefully you will have an idea of the outcome in a couple of days.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81876228#Comment_81876228

Yes, a four month review won't be the end of the world. But it would be laborious to say the least. If I can take legitimate steps that would help the algorithm to treat my case as a simple one that doesn't need reviewing, I will seek to take them if I get awarded SG. I have read elsewhere that the £6K to £16K capital declaration is effectively an instant review trigger.

TimeLord1

I think most people are tripped up by confirming ID but savings and investments section can be straightforward or some don't expect what is required or failed to calculate effectively. Plenty of time to sort most things before it's submitted and becomes live. 28 days then if you failed to submit it resets itself, so you can input for weeks really.

huckster

I think there will be a higher percentage getting LCW and to not write people off by awarding LCWRA, which often sees people not having reassessments for 2 to 3 years after the review was officially due.

One of the disability rights websites gained information from DWP recently, that WCA's have been factored into Treasury forecasts until 2031. So it appears that any combined PIP/WCA process won't be rolled out until the end of this decade.

There are arguably more work options now, with working from home, technology to assist with those with disabilities.

I have come across quite a few people with very challenging health and disabilities, that have been awarded LCW over recent years.

TimeLord1

Some people don't even know they've been assessed by paper-based previous information, and some haven't had a form issued in a decade because the focus was switched to other waiting lists. But I expect that will now focus back on LCWRA/Support Group and LCW to see who remains or moves. Depends on the new scoring process. An some who think they'll not be asked again probably will still be assessed.

Altior

If they make LCWRA contingent on PIP, there'll obviously be a flood of PIP applications.

On the other hand, if they give those on LCWRA PIP status automatically, it would be enormously expensive.

There's no obvious way around it, especially given that a stated aim is to reduce the number of assessments! Plus not put any additional pressure on primary healthcare. Obviously, if people need to try and claim PIP as they see it, that would seem inevitable.

I suppose the only option would be to only 'penalise' band new applicants again. Which would take many years to filter out.

They would also need to soften 'PIP' I'm assuming. ie if there is only one combined assessment then to qualify it would need to sit somewhere between the current threshold for LCWRA and enhanced mobility PIP.