Closing all my benefits claims when I may have an additional support marker.

Remedial_Massage_Kid

Hi, I'm claiming ESA, UC and PIP. I've decided to take early retirement. I was speaking to CAB about a different benefits query. She indicated that she thought I may be an additional support case as I don't get pursued to look for or to prepare to go back to work. In the five years I've had these benefits, I've only had to complete reviews for PIP.

I've done a Google search and as it turns out, closing my claims is not as simple as calling up and requesting that they do that. If this is the case, what is the process please? I really wouldn't want to go through a review process. I find the whole benefits thing so stressful and I hate claiming.

I'd appreciate any help with this.

Many thanks.

QrizB

Benefits board folks might read to see the OP's two recent threads on the Pensions board to understand how early retirement is going to work:

Here and here.

OP, you'll get some good advice here. Hope this all works out for you.

Remedial_Massage_Kid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150319#Comment_82150319

Thanks for that.

Robbie64

Reviews for ESA / UC have largely been on hold for a number of years due to backlogs so the lack of a review isn't something to worry about.

If you get ESA, then you will be in the Support Group, which is the group where you don't have to look for work nor carry out any work related activity. Your UC payment should therefore include an additional amount for Limited Capability For Work And Work Related Activity (LCWRA). LCWRA is the UC equivalent of the Support Group in ESA.

My advice would be to hold on for the time being. As far as I am aware, reviews for ESA and UC (the UC review should be carried out for both UC and ESA when it does happen) are likely to be on hold for a while longer yet.

You will know when your PIP review is likely to happen from your last award letter.

It's fairly straightforward to close your ESA, UC and PIP claims - you ask them to close them (on UC you can do this on your Journal). However, my advice would be to keep the claims in place, at least until your Civil Service Pension (CSP) is sorted. As you may be aware, the CSP scheme is in chaos at the moment with severe backlogs. At least keep your benefits in place until your CSP is in payment and then review your options. It may be that receipt of your pension closes your UC claim anyway and reduces your ESA claim (your CSP will reduce your ESA by 50% of any excess of over £85 per week). Your PIP claim will be unaffected by any CSP that you receive.

Remedial_Massage_Kid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150338#Comment_82150338

Thanks for that. So that support group thing won't make any difference to me making a request to close my claims? In other words, they'll just do it there and then over the phone?

Robbie64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150361#Comment_82150361

It shouldn't make any difference at all. Closing a claim can be as simple as phoning up and saying you no longer wish to claim. The DWP may want to make sure you are certain you want to close your claim but ultimately they won't stop you from doing so.

Edit to add: my advice remains though to not close any claims, at least for the time being, until you have your CSP in payment.

Remedial_Massage_Kid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150385#Comment_82150385

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate your taking the time to help me.

I really struggle with the idea of being on benefits. It causes me stress. I can afford to live without them and feel that that is what I'd be most comfortable with. I've been diagnosed with ADHD and am awaiting to be tested for autism, my GP says I display strong indicators of that. Which may suggest why I struggle in the ways I do but specifically with the benefits situation. I get very obsessive about things and this is one of those things. Apparently it's reasonably common for people to feel shame and stress when on benefits.

I've read also that closing PIP can be a drama. Some stating that DWP has a duty of care to ensure you're not closing your claim when you shouldn't be. Others saying they send you out a form to complete before they'll close it and there was one lady who they just wouldn't close her claim.

The thought of phoning them up is really stressing me out too.

Thanks again.

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150450#Comment_82150450

why would you close your pip claim? It's not an out of work sickness benefit and can be claimed in employment or retirement.

Remedial_Massage_Kid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150794#Comment_82150794

I was speaking to my ex wife yesterday, she said the same thing. Thanks for that.

born_again

OP also has another thread here.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6684761/ive-just-closed-my-universal-credit-claim-online-and-it-said-they-may-call-me-why-would-that-be

pmduk

I'm not passing judgement here, but it's entirely your decision as to whether to make ANY benefit claim. However, the DWP are trying to protect you from harm, by checking the implications of your decisions. They would be pilloried by putting you into a dangerous or damaging situation.