Universal Credit - PIP - ESA News October 2024

[@StuartMcGoo]

There have been some lovely kind people commenting on here and to all those lovely folk who are pushing through hard times and fighting the good fight to be treated as decent human beings - Thank you. I am here for you. But there have been some nasty minded trolls as well so I have removed, and will remove, their comments. If you think people are pretending to be disabled to defraud the system then you are not welcome here, because they aren't. I deal in facts, not Daily Mail infused hate - go troll somewhere else.

[@paulbarrass2902]

How can u fake a ilness

[@trmm763]

As always, the truth somewhere in the middle - there are people defrauding the system it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise - it is however a very small number of claimants.

[@markadamson2102]

Yeah go for the most vulnerable people like always.

[@Nemo59646]

Low hanging fruit.

[@HF2683-1]

Don’t refer to me as low hanging fruit. You know absolutely nothing about me or anyone else

[@Nemo59646]

@@HF2683-1 Do you actually know what the term means? Also its a catch-all term. Are you alright? Take care.Bless!

[@meltimmins6368]

Starmer stood for the leadership of the Labour Party on socialist principles and once elected ditched those policies. I personally don’t recognise his incarnation of the Labour Party but a continuation of the neoliberal free markets. And the removal of winter fuel allowances and the resurrection of the snooping charter bill underscores that view..

[@jillhargrave-george4510]

Correct..not whatone expects from a socialist government!

[@permeus2nd]

Personally I’ve been saying it for over 20 years now, there is no difference between the Labour Party and the conservatives it’s just a different flavour of how they try to screw you over. To clarify I don’t just limited to labour and Conservatives it’s all parties their all as bad as each other.

[@geo_neo9]

There is no difference to any of the parties once they get in. Because they are puppets of cabal.

[@lindyhoney14]

This is totally shocking. Absolutely no consideration for capacity. If someone is in a mental hospital they are there to recover, not to be harassed.

[@Seeking_Gnosis]

They'll probably offer assisted dying as part of the package !!!

[@Mag-Ruith]

you are so calming and insightful, so grateful for you, bless you x

[@Nemo59646]

Cash is more flexible than vouchers! Vouchers mean a middle man skimming money off the top.

[@gambrydew2059]

They won't introduce pip vouchers because there would be a black market for them overnight.

[@Nemo59646]

@@gambrydew2059 Its the same with Food Stamps in the USA.

[@angturner8865]

Bet the companieswouldbe run by their "friends " at the inflated prices too.

[@gambrydew2059]

@@angturner8865 The government aren't stupid, introducing vouchers to the public would turn into multi Billion pound racket, it would be easy to sell them.

[@Nemo59646]

@@angturner8865 I thought the same, Starmer is the continuity Prime Minister for austerity kicking the poor and disabled,worse than the Tories.

[@denisesmith6762]

Thank you for all your advice and help 🙏

[@marcwaters2600]

labour will dismantle the welfare state

[@lukemorris9066]

Good luck with that

[@justice100forwin2]

Thanks again for all the advice you give us Stu , and I really hope you are feeling better. This psychotic government ( and people more qualified than I have judged them to be so ) are causing far more problems than they are solving and I know from reading other peoples posts around the internet and my own experience that they are causing our mental and physical health to plummet. I wake up some days and come across ' the latest information ' to drip out of the DWP and have panic attacks and can't stop crying , then that leads to my M.E flaring up and I'm in physical and emotional agony before the day has even begun. My mind keeps going back to a certain German political party who said " Work Shall Set You Free " and how that same party taught school children that those who were sick and disabled were " economically inactive " and were of no worth to society. It seems like every minority under the sun experiences positive discrimination apart from the sick and disabled , anything it seems can be done to us or said about us. If only the average person knew how hard benefits were to get in the first place and secondly the constant worry you live in , scared stiff of losing your only means of survival. NOBODY CHOOSES THIS LIFE / NOBODY CHOOSES TO GET ILL / AND ILL HEALTH DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE!

[@eldenhorner9763]

As a member of multiple minorities, including being disabled and chronically I'll, I can tell you I'm negatively discriminated against for ALL of them. The idea that any of us are being positively discriminated against is a lie intended to divide us, because they know minorities are stronger when we stand together. I didn't choose to belong to ANY minorities and I live in fear every day due to all of them.

[@johnhughes5085]

Good to have you back Stu 😊

[@digicoindigitalassetsinves9524]

They already look at bank accounts they just making it public

[@StuartMcGoo]

They're making it wholesale.

[@jaybobification]

🤣 Expletives inserted here: C***S! Thanks Stu 👍

[@sahajasam]

Thanks so much Stu. So clear and informative. Yes, worrying, but forewarned is forearmed!!! Eyes open everyone, no fear.

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Thank you Stu. Good info

[@Gillian.T.9020]

Good to see you back Stu. Loved tonight's informative video and you're comments, all of which hit the button!!! I hope you're feeling a little stronger. Thanks for looking out for us all 🫶

[@Nemo59646]

My mate is quitting as a mental health nurse. Job coaches will have to be guarded putting more stain on mental health nurses. He's quitting at the right moment IMO.

[@stuwilldoo7035]

Job coaches sent into Mental health Hospitals. Most ludicrous thing ive heard from Labour in what...... a few mins. Now it all makes sense.

[@kazyjacko40]

Don’t think their staff would be brave enough to go on any nhs mental health ward, they can be pretty wild and scarey af

[@lindseyspence3140]

@@kazyjacko40yep as someone that has been sectioned due to bipolar I can agree and things can go south very quickly

[@markusalexander754]

Labour introduced assessments for thw disabled. Sold our gold off introduced pfi debt to the NHS. They drew up the bedroom tax which the tories introduced. They're no better!

[@CaptainSqashbox]

Thank you so much for your amazing advice and help.

[@cheekster777]

Thank you Stu.

[@barriereid9244]

Please record every meeting you have with Deprtment of War on People operatives, just as should when in contact with the police.

[@claireratton1247]

Absolute Bullshit! Questioning people in Psychiatric Care! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@michaelknox3248]

I thought that too when i read it. it doesn't make any sense

[@barriereid9244]

2016 they were asking new claimants if they had thought about committing suicide...and that if they did not answer their claim was rejected out of hand there and then, having been interviewed by a non medical operative following a script.

[@littlebubbie726]

Just migrated, what a bloody nightmare. Never been so stressed and worn out in my life and I care for someone with BPD and associated illnesses.

[@dorothaj]

Did DWP ask any questions? Did you have an interview pls? I am in a process waiting to find out if all my documents were submitted correctly.

[@littlebubbie726]

@@dorothaj when they got in touch through the silly online portal they were asking for my sick partner to attend interviews for identity. I did the claim for both me and her. I said no to coming to an identity interview and said I could have someone come out as she was in the support group of ESA. The person online agreed and stated the claim would take longer, this was untrue, as a few days later I received a call to arrange a day and time. The person came, my partner was in bed a sleep. The woman went ahead with checking ID and left. Not a word spoken to my partner.

[@littlebubbie726]

@@dorothaj I did think they were trying to see if my partner was as unwell as claimed. She suffers BPD, psychosis and other mental issues. She also suffers from fybro and couple of other physical issues. As for documents we verified ID online, but they still wanted my wife to ID at the DWP. I just said no send someone.

[@littlebubbie726]

@@dorothaj I spoke to a helpline who claimed only 1 in 10 get asked to interviews. Then after I explained my situation they apologised and said I feel scared for you. This was at the beginning of the process. Now I understand why they said it. This isn’t a migration it’s a new claim for a different benefit. I started on Sept 18th and finished Oct 24th today at 1.48 pm. I hope you have better luck than we did and we are the 1 in 10.

[@dorothaj]

​​@@littlebubbie726 thanks for your input. I also verified digitally. I was wondering if you ever hear from them before the 5 week deadline they give you. I was on JSA but progressively got unwell and had a doctor issue me fit note. I was given UC50 form. Which is stressful on its own.

[@littlebubbie726]

Who is shocked at how bad the Labour Party are? Starmer is toast, Reeves will be out in a year along with Starmer. Kendall is like putting a fox in charge of the chikens. Never been so ashamed of Labour.

[@mbwatson1000]

Sounds like I better get all my nefarious double-dealings done before these snooping policies start. Trouble is, I cannot think of any such schemes that I had or would ever wish to have. All I want to do is to survive my long term illness, and that is and should be the only battle I face.

[@audreysimon696]

I hope Government sees sense and do the right decision 🙏

[@jaylevzi7293]

Orwells 1984 rings more and more true.

[@permeus2nd]

15:18 they aren’t giving me enough to pay for heating let alone anything else so I’m wondering how they are managing to overpay people in the first place?

[@TONE11111]

My Post Office told me that Horizon's mistakes are still regularly occuring, but they are not being blamed for the discrepancies.

[@joyplummeridge6940]

When my income support and housing benefit was migrated to Universal Credit one of the questions asked was how much i had in savings, as i had £1,25 i put 0. When I was asked to check the UC journal to see when the first payment would be, the form was there, and low and behold in the section msrked savings it said £1,25

[@dorothaj]

That's hilarious but not funny

[@dallasknight4854]

Beard is looking well. I have just received my immigration letter I am on the highest level of ESA no work club after I spoke to citizens advice I have found out by migrating on to universal credit I will be £260 worth off each month. And then I was informed they make up the difference for 12 months then that's it. As for PIP I am only praying they do not take that money off of me otherwise I will not be able to continue looking after myself. 🙏 As always thank you Stu. I don't recall being asked by the DWP anything about how I would like my PIP payments made out to me.

[@gbhxu]

I was on the understanding that if your ESA was more than UC, you stayed at the ESA rate until UC was more

[@Vicks234]

They said the Transitional protection would continue until the increments equaled it all out not just for 12 months. Who told you you it’s only for 12 months??

[@permeus2nd]

21:15 so one thing that’s worth noting is the letter you get is wrong in its wording, my letter said that my at the time carers allowance and income support was been MERGED into universal credit which meant I was really confused when I started looking for a link to merge my benefits as there isn’t a merge option, your actually setting up a completely new claim for UC but the letter dosnt tell you that.

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thank you Stuart brilliant as always 😊

[@sidsod1616]

22 billion black hole? Most of it sitting in 4star hotels getting free everything.

[@abstractdrumz]

yeah, of course it's the fault of migrant workers that we've had the Tories in the power for the last 14 years, absolutely wrecking the economy.

[@dune-id7lf]

yes but don't forget the ukraine aid and support for other countries that you asked for!?

[@72steviec]

Can i just say some of my MH meds absolutely zonk me out. How could they possibly think i was fit for work and be safe in a work place?

Hiya Stu, I've had to take my last 2 bank statements in to my local DWP office, but because I'm with Santander I only get them every 3 months, so I've had to go to a other town 7 miles away & request them , hopefully I'll get them before next Thursday, they wouldn't take them from me as they wonted them up until today. 😡 Will let you know the outcome.

[@andywharam59]

I’ve just uploaded my last 6 bank statements, plus I had to photograph the front and back of my provisional bike license & take a photo of my face with the license at one side, otherwise my UC would be effected or stopped! I felt like a bloody criminal, yet I’m 63 English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 born n bread, I thought they had mixed me up with a an illegal immigrant FFS 🤬

[@BRIAN-mr5ue]

The proposed voucher scheme will not apply in Scotland as most living here who were on PiP have been moved to ADP or will be in process of moving soon 👍

[@Nemo59646]

We should all move to Scotland.

[@margaretpaterson7297]

Hi stu i am on UC as you know on UC you are awarded a weekly amount. However i get payed on 14th of every month not every 4 weeks so when its a 5 week month its the same amount as a 4 week month. PIP on the other hand is paid on different days every 4 weeks. Do you think theres a case to be had here?

[@Starsmiley111]

Observe the difference when claiming the housing element of UC; most people pay rent monthly, but you have to work out how much a week you pay. Use your search engine for how to achieve this. It’s designed to short-change you.

[@alisonmansfield9052]

Many thanks for the info and love your beard....

[@Hammerman837]

Fraud regarding pip was 0.1 last year

[@simonlester5389]

They are not yet going to bring in vouchers it is only in discussion

[@shus5787]

Welcome back

[@Graceland1964]

They have already been checking my account The investigation is still 9 months on. Your allowed so much but its hard to keep an eye on your accounts. They still treat me guilty before inicent.

[@dorothaj]

Can I please ask how long have you been on UC before they started to review your claim/ accounts? Do they do that during migration process or later on. Ty

[@DeanHuish]

It’s the stress from the dwp, that’s pushing people to the edge, and now they are moving into your recovery home, nice move, idiots

[@viviengregory9002]

No businesses will take on people who have a lot of time off. They usually sack them

[@joyplummeridge6940]

Which is why Comrade starmer has had employment laws changed

[@angela_7_7_7]

Thanks Stu 😊

[@Dugski2310]

any work coach turning up at a hospital bed i may be unfortunate to find myself in will be told to do one.

[@paulhall9811]

I have no faith in the DWP and Universal Credit, the appication process is not geared to people living with mental health issues. My wife and I have been trying to claim UC since April. The application has been cancelled twice, the first time was reversed on appeal (after five weeks) but was then cancelled again three weeks later. The UC helpline cannot give an estimation because it has been given to a "decision maker and could take between 12 days and 12 months". We were told to reapply whilst the appeal progresses continues. We applied for a third time and after a wait time of three weeks we got an appointment. This time I messed up and missed the appointment (I blame it on the meds but it's 100 my fault this time). We now have two weeks until our appointment to prove our identity. We already did this back in April and neither of us have changed since then. Basically we are we are stuck in administrative hell. Even with the help of a local debt advice charity we are no nearer to getting a resolution. I was hoping that a change of government would ease the process but it appears that the Labour leadership have sold their morality to appease the right wing media for a chance to get into power.

[@martinarnold5239]

I was told that migration would be automatic. It woudl require no effort or intervention on my part. Does this mean that, if I then have to claim UC in order to be migrated, I will be subject to the 5 week wait for money (I assume Labour has done nothing about that)? Thanks

[@gambrydew2059]

I think you get paid for the first 2 weeks after you claim then it's a 3 week wait after that.

[@Saddam-N-S]

It clearly states on the HMRC page that everyone will be moved to UC by the end of 2024

[@gambrydew2059]

People on certain benefits will migrate over by the end of December 2024, the rest by the end of December 2025.

[@robmcallen798]

So what happens if the medical conditions that you have are deteriorating and as such you need to get a PIP review done(as they are affecting how you are able to manage with basic tasks) but you get a letter saying you're going to be migrated to Universal Credit. Seems to me in that situation you're kinda F'd as you have a very limited time to respond to the Universal Credit ppl but the waiting list for PIP reviews is mega long and UC from what you've said will only give you the amount you've been assessed for disability wise when yr UC claim goes thru. So on one hand they are trying to get ppl onto UC asap and it's a shorter process but PIP reviews take forever. My takeaway from this is if yr on PIP and things are getting worse for you when it comes to yr ability to do basic things yr screwed if you get a letter from UC 😥 Please tell me I've got this all wrong Stu! Sorry for the wall of text.

[@kevinheath7588]

They going to change the work capability assessment to make it all but impossible to claim any disability benefits.

[@louisegreen5711]

So, on universal credit, do we have to submit the bank statements/driving licence when requested?

[@Napoleonwilson1973]

Always but they know anyway what you have.

[@louisegreen5711]

@Napoleonwilson1973 how do they know what we have? If they have the right to see our bank accounts, why ask to download my statements?

[@Craft-oh7uv]

Yes, we submit 4 months worth of banks statements. Two Utility billes for id will be OK!!!!!!👍❤

[@gambrydew2059]

You have to give your bank details when you claim for any benefit.

[@Craft-oh7uv]

@@louisegreen5711 even if you or already on say UC, you still have to give the DWP 4 months worth of bank statements. ❤️

[@animallover1297]

Hi Stu , I just read about Stephen Timms PIP questionnaire where the sick and disabled will be asked about the specific costs of their conditions. Do you think they’re planning on implementing the Dutch (?) system where each person gets a different amount according to their needs? If they do will they take into account normal household costs such as electricity, beds etc that disabled people spend their PIP on as esa/ lcwra isn’t enough. What are your thoughts on this ?

[@digicoindigitalassetsinves9524]

Kendal lies like the rest of them

[@gambrydew2059]

Kendall won't be nice with her benefit cuts.

[@Nemo59646]

She's the new Esther McVey.

[@TheMartialspirit]

Just done my esa migration form and it was horrible and now it says they don’t have a record of me being on ESA. Yet they sent me a a ESA migration letter and have been on esa for over ten years don’t know who to get in contact with.

[@nimm1033]

if they moved us to vouchers its just more control over what we can or cannot eat and spend our money on

[@angturner8865]

I'm on both kinds of esa, in support group with sdp and edp and on enhanced pip( both). Is there a form of esa that isn't going to go over to uc but will be deducted from award which would reduce tp b4 deductions.

[@JohnRoe-yl4iy]

Hi stu, .i can honestly say that i cannot tell the difference between the labour government and the previous lot? i am on pip (severe rheumatoid arthritis) i am due to have an op for colon cancer and i suppose the people in government should be informed of this in case I'm penalized? you are doing a great job stu best regards John

[@尼古拉斯-Nicholas]

PIP vouchers will not happen in Scotland so everybody get your backside up to Scotland

[@DaveV173]

I had a tribunal hearing and was awarded my PIP on appeal and it was also back dated , I was awarded PIP until July 2025 , but recently had a review form to fill out and I contacted them to ask " WHY " are they asking for a review when the tribunal told them in writing not to review my case again until 2025 , I was told if I don't fill out the form my PIP would stop being paid. Well I didn't and now my payments have stopped and i feel this isn't legal also unjust

[@leon51203]

if they want to put this stupid bill through then surely they have to leave the echr first

[@davidbell7094]

I think Miss Kendal,is certainly in the wrong party! Or have they changed as much as it looks! I've heard that,the telephone health assessments to UC,that know matter what you say in the assessment,the health care worker,then reports whatever they want,too the Decision Maker,and they take it as true. You loose your benefits,and the health care worker,gets their bonus! I've got a good Social Worker!

[@tommy2nes]

With the esa migration thing, What do you mean by change in circumstances? Are they going to do a review for everybody when they change to universal credit or do you just get swaped with no review, I bloo.dy can’t stand reviews! 😢

[@phunny12000]

Got forced to apply for UC to get my housing benefit, stopped claiming sickness benefit years ago as i couldn't get to appointments as was on morphine and a carer for my autistic son, so told them to stuff sickness benefit and i claimed my NCB pension early to survive,70% took off for rent and 20% council tax! Anyway my UC appointment was early Wednesday, even though I'm up all night Cos my son has seizures The next morning got a letter saying they were stopping my sons severe disability portion of his UC, don't understand but why punish him, so beware if you're a carer

[@michecccc]

Hi Stuart could you please help me with what is classed as evedence when it comes to pip . thanks I'm new to all of this

[@jimejones-093]

In a recent conversation with a member of staff from my local college, I was asked if I fancied applying for a Higher National Certificate, as my previous attendence on courses I received qualifications for were satisfactory prerequisites for applying. I said that I would lose my benefits if I took a course on at it's level, so that was me out of it. To which he claimed that I could do the course as it's not the HE status of the Course that mattered but the Hours spent attending that was the central issue, and the HNC only requires thirteen hours attendance per week. Is he mistaken? The benefits at stake being ESA (support group) and UC. What do you know? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks. If he isn't mistaken, then maybe I could attend through applying for the course fees from Student Finance England WITHOUT the part of the Loan that would normally replace benefits, the attendance loan.

[@StuartMcGoo]

My understanding is that you can do a maximum of 16 hours per week

[@jimejones-093]

@@StuartMcGoo Does it make any difference what level the course is? e.g, level 3/4/5/6, etc..

[@LawrenceBishton]

Why should my bank be closed against me with no reason ?

[@amaliagrassi6870]

No link to the economist he was talking about?

[@StuartMcGoo]

No I can't link to an episode of question time, but feel free to have a look on iPlayer, it was about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

[@amaliagrassi6870]

@@StuartMcGoo No worries. Thank you. I thought you'd said you'd provide a link? That's why I was confused. Thanks for all the info you put together for us. It is very helpful.

[@unklefrank319]

👍

[@joannewall5499]

So instead of supporting people with mental health they’ll hurt them more, I’ve just about had enough

[@neilkendrick4976]

and, meanwhile we continue to fund wars, in ukraine and israel. as a lifetime labour voter, i herewith declare, i will never vote labour, while starmer has the reins. i request more people write to their mps and say the same. he's a conservative. period.

[@sywilson73]

I found that if you are a carer and claim for UC they deduct what you get for caring from UC even though you qualify and do both separately Helping carers my arse.

[@StuartMcGoo]

That's true, you can only have 1 income benefit at a time, so if you have both they deduct one from the other. Has always been the way, even before UC

[@tommy2nes]

So in your FAQ video a year ago when you said they want to get everyone on Universal Credit by 2029, is that now just 2025!? Thats a massive shift!!!!

[@StuartMcGoo]

The shift happened in April and I have reported on it since then.

[@shahanazislam299]

What about depresion peles

[@stephenhopkins5595]

Although you are well intentioned, your comment about sectioned people being given job coaches in hospital is misleading, if a patient is in primary they cannot be given job advice. Primary care patients are exempt from these proceedures. Please be aware that this type of rhetoric causes unwell people to panic. Apart from that, you're doing a good job.

[@Gillian.T.9020]

This was covered by the BBC. I saw this disgusting topic myself, it was said that job coaches will be visiting the "seriously" mentally ill in hospitals to aid them back into work. It was also on the BBC news app it's not just Stu who's been reporting this.

[@stephenhopkins5595]

@@Gillian.T.9020 thanks for letting me known the msm are trying to sow fear.

[@jillhargrave-george4510]

They have cards in the US..they are toppwd up electronally every month, I believe.

[@papichuckle]

Responsible adults actually voted for labour and believed all the promises

[@Paul-q7u]

Has always attack the poor , why don't they look at themselves they have no worries or disability s????????

[@gingermanc]

What’s the point in your baked on captions when captions are available if required ? This is a TikTok trend. It’s not useful if you don’t need it. It distracts me and I don’t get the message. Why do I have to read your ‘er’ and ‘sort of’ - if it does not add value, eg if you can’t understand a thick accent - caption it. Otherwise It’s like having a third leg, it’s not useful. Maybe edit out your ‘errr’s and leave the captions off instead. ( why don’t you have a sub frame with someone playing Roblox as well ). I got none of your message

[@StuartMcGoo]

It makes it accessible for people who are hard or hearing, deaf and deafened. Autocaptions are inaccurate, and don't pick up essential words like "DWP." If you don't like it, watch another channel.

[@LawrenceBishton]

Its torture of 1 to insight terrorism

[@thomasgates3185]

attacking the weakest in so called society, well i'm shocked. (don't mention the massive tax avoidance)

[@derekwhite2929]

Seems rather @ best? Personally I'm in 'end of life care' & getting no 'care' whatsoever! 🤦‍♂️👎 If things go as they're planning, I'll be dead before anything good comes out of this! The country seems to have become extremely necrophilic🤦‍♂️👎💔 You shouldn't just have 'concerns', you should be absolutely horrified & terrified @ least!

[@derekwhite2929]

Seems rather nefarious @ best!

[@derekwhite2929]

Talking about Deaths; I'm currently in 'end of life care' & getting no care whatsoever! This is 'very concerning' @ best! I'm terrified! Bedbound! CV313EZ! HELP🙏

[@derekwhite2929]

They've recently bullied me into accepting that the next time my heart stops, they're not going to be doing anything to help! 🤦‍♂️👎🙏

[@mattschafer6291]

i 6 people in my small area of 35 houses that are committing fraud

[@lukemorris9066]

I keep reading that we have to wait till april 2025 for anything to happen is this true?

[@gambrydew2059]

What ever labour decide what to do with pip won't be straight away, it could take up to 18-24 months to completely change pip or get rid of it.

[@lukemorris9066]

@gambrydew2059 o ok I was thinking it changes straight away like the winter payment they took of old ppl

[@debralawrence3582]

how can people with MH disabilities severe crippled morning, foggy etc be expected to work!!!!!

[@claireratton1247]

Thank you Stu…xx