Contribution based new style ESA vs Universal Credit.

[BTposse]

Hi all, thanks for all your responses and advice and friendly welcome. I’ve not been online much. Feels like I’m falling down the rabbit hole.

It turns out that I’m on contribution based new style ESA. This should of been my first benefit and be Universal Credit would of been a top up. I’m sharing screenshots of the statement that UC send me each month. If I’d not been, what feels like bullied into UC, I’d actually have quite a nice life with looking after my RA. At the moment I eat once every two days. Have the heating off.

I’m adding screenshots, I’ve redacted personal information. Last night I saw on the journal that my fit note which I uploaded on the 15/02/22 has not been accepted, so I’m in quite a lot of pain this morning after a sleepless night.

What a mess. I’m no trying CAB this morning. I think this is more of a vent and a cry for help. Thanks for reading.

Oh that’s right, I received a letter stating I owe UC £170. I don’t know how.

I can only add one photo. I was awarded £900 and my deductions were £900.

Here’s a statement for last 4 months. The £564 for January was the rent paid to landlord. UC are taking my rent arrears out of my rent WHICH IS PLACING ME MORE INTO ARREARS!!!

Thanks again and good morning

#benefits

[Hidden]

Morning. I recommend joining ‘Benefits & Work’ website. It’s £20 for the year, which I appreciate is a lot for you at the moment, but they have guides and a forum where you can ask questions. Your council should have a Welfare Rights service, and you can also try Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (CAB) I don’t know the new benefits and how they work, but these people will do. It’s a nightmare. Good Luck. Do some googling also. CAB have a website.

[BTposse in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for info.

[Hidden]

Hi can you take a photo of your fit-note and add it? I do this too and my local job centre said if I had any problems go in...maybe yours could help you upload it? Hope you get some help at Cab. x

[BTposse in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I’m in the non working group, I’m waiting for PIP result which is ten weeks away. So I don’t have to provide a fit note probably for 6-12 months. Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to BTposse]

Oh I'm sorry, I read that wrong. Good luck with PIP too, that will make a difference. xx

[Deeb1764 in reply to BTposse]

My DWP said always get a fit note to show you cannot work as it protects your claims. It also means they will then put you thro for assessment as well. If you do not have a fit note they will keep expecting you to look for work and this is draining if you cant work. My GP also does a fit note that says no more than 8hrs a week more. I appreciate i am lucky with my GP. Just a thought.

[KittyJ in reply to Deeb1764]

He’s already got ESA and is in the support group Deeb.

[Deeb1764 in reply to KittyJ]

Oh ok . My DWP person was so keep the sick notes going thought he might need them too

[3LittleBirds2]

Hi

Can you add a note to your journal asking why your Fit Note was not accepted, they should usually put a note as to why it was not accepted, there could be various reasons for this.

Sounds like you are on a Dual UC Claim, with the UC part paying your rent as the New Style ESA would not pay your rent.. you would also not get the standard UC personal allowance as well as your NS ESA but doesn't mean you should be worse off.

You can send a journal message to your Case Manager to explain your deductions etc or call the Service Centre if you'd rather not go into the Job Centre, whatever people think they are there to help you.

Good luck I hope you get it sorted.

[KittyJ in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

They’ve sent me a text in the past if the fit note wasn’t accepted. Strange not to tell him why.?

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to KittyJ]

Yes exactly...the dates are fine so not that, possibly the GP hasn't signed it, that happens a lot with the fit notes being sent via email or text..or was happening during lockdowns etc . I know if it is rejected on UC account, you can put a note on to say why and ESA will call but that is not to say it doesn't happen. Another possible reason, is that a WCA has been done and fit notes no longer needed. BT Posse needs to contact them but if assessment already done and in the No Work Related Activity group (non working) Fit Notes are no longer needed for however long assessed for.

[Paisley58]

🤬😡