Universal Credit PIP and ESA - Stu McGoo's FAQs 2 - ESA to UC Migration

In this video i discuss my second most asked question - If I have to move from ESA to Universal Credit, will I be on the same rate, or will I have to go through the Work Capability Assessment again?
My FAQs, like all my videos, are designed to help and support you if no other help is available. However, I always recommend seeking out one to one support whenever possible.
To find one to ne support locally to you, please use the Turn To Us Advice Finder - advicefinder.t...
To check your benefits entitlement - benefits-calcu...

[@jaynekittycat9252]

Why don't they just leave things alone. It's always change, change, change. Sending people around the bend.

[@swagon4545]

People like you & lot of millions of other people never like change... People on benefits like Employment support allowance... personal independent payment... income support & work work capability.. Seriously need to stop whinging persistently.. I'm in the caring roll.. Have been for 20 years... Millions of people on benefits live a good lifestyle.. Wish I could... It's not the point people can't work they choose not to work, excuses after excuses time after time.. pepple horrible lazy.. I'm speaking bout them who are scamming system on a massive scale... Do you know how many hours & how many people it takes to pay tax just one person on benefits... I honestly think it's absolutely shocking.. Words can't comprehend how self-centred a how lazy people have become....

[@cherylkelly1997]

Because there trying to recoup all the covid money they gave to the wealthy

[@jaynekittycat9252]

@@swagon4545 Do you want my health problems mate. The benefit system is for those who are genuinely unwell and can't work. There are fraudsters out there who are deemed fit. There the one's that need sorting. So don't ever say " people like you " when you don't even no me. Who do you care for, are they in receipt of benefits, because of ill health and multiple ailments. We don't live a good lifestyle either. The ones that defraud the system are the one's living it up. I'm certainly not!!!!!!!!!!!

[@busterboy7507]

​​@@swagon4545Live a good lifestyle and are lazy? Disabled people who can't walk for more than 5 minutes without being in excruciating pain certainly do not have a good lifestyle and are not lazy.

[@sassie8039]

Seriously? People like you lot are constantly whingeing about sick and disabled people who are on benefits because they ARE IN NEED of this extra money which our government pay from taxes. I sincerely hope you never have to claim this much needed money because of a disability or illness you may unfortunately get through no fault of your own. Believe me it is no fun at all having to give up a career ,ideas of having a family,hobbies and interests and relationships you love and living a life filled with constant pain and fatigue of which there is no cure . You have no clue about the realities of this lifestyle '

[@sean5990]

I just wish to stress that it's not all about the amount of money that a person receives. Some would rather live on a lower amount and not be constantly harassed. It's just way too much of an impact on some peoples mental health.

[@VMM34]

I'd rather get the bare minimum to literally scape by and possibly starve than go through that stress. In fact I have no capability to go through it, I'd rather be deceased. I need peace at any cost

[@sarah6557]

Its meant to be hard so no nobody claims for it thats why its by design

[@EllaBella-76]

@@VMM34•Form an orderly queue to the Undertaker but I am first ..It’s to complicated a flipping nightmare?With a brain injury and a teenager they saying I owe them Child Tax Credits?I have severe enhanced PIP 27 Fractures mental illness and right now I need a padded room they sent me some stupid-Emergency TAX form my brother keeps saying do not worry you do not need to do anything 😤My MP is doing it he will not listen to me here -yep but I am being sent pillar to post ?Like a nightmare?They sent me all these places like ?Back to the council’ I get SMI (Severe mental Incaacity ?)This is not bloody reassuring I can’t go online with a brain injury?I tried log in it was Welsh 👋🤣-Challenging no sweat 😩😭😭I got flipping dementia as well -Library no the Internet crashes!😵‍💫🤯On everyone!😂They saying I owe them -Tax Credits?But apparently one year 🙄😵‍💫🤯😭I was not having this on my flipping Bucket list ?I shall go work in a bank given I can’t even count ..I will be handing it out

[@EllaBella-76]

@@VMM34•I booking Euthanasia ?What about the Enhanced Severe Disability?..😭😭Plus PIP we got to go through that nightmare as well?I got PTSD :Bipolar what more do they want my blood pressure usually low is sky bloody high this is very stupid

[@EllaBella-76]

Oh good grief 😭😭😭

[@Mr..E]

I unfortunately have a deteriorating condition and yet once being awarded set benefits for life I was still forced to fill in forms and attend 'meetings'. I explained that not only was I dealing with my physical deterioration but also the deterioration of my mental health exasperated by their constant questioning of my present abilities. I explained I was trying to focus on what little positive I had in my life and that their approach was destroying what little I had left. I can't believe that it took what it did to make them leave me alone.

[@paula622]

They can use the information that they used when I made my claim for esa, I am not re sending, repeating, proof that I have provided them with, this hoop jumping stress inducing exercise needs to stop

[@essentialnaturalremedies]

Thank you so much for all your helpful videos. There's nothing wrong with liking the sound of your own voice Stu - you have a very calm soothing voice and it's nice to hear it.

[@JourneysEndLofts]

WORK COACH SHORTAGE The PCS union has warned of “staffing chaos” at the DWP, with work coach roles being particularly affected, as the government seeks to hire thousands of new staff, having just made hundreds of workers redundant. As a result of the staffing chaos, additional “support measures” are being put in place in Jobcentres to manage the workload of work coaches. This includes reducing the frequency of work coach contact with some claimants from fortnightly to monthly and shortening some meetings from 50 minutes to 30 minutes. To make matters worse, the Chancellor has announced an end to civil service expansion, with an immediate cap on the civil service headcount, with a view to reducing it to pre-pandemic levels. With the DWP failing to manage its current workload, the idea that tens of thousands of additional claimants can be removed from the LCWRA group and given effective support to help them into work is clearly nonsense.

[@SquiddysAquaticts]

Thx Stu, don't think I'll be around for much longer but if by chance I am,I'm saving this one . Thx again mate✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@martinriley106]

I’ve been waiting for my ESA for 3 years now and my tribunal comes up in late November. However a judge who recently reviewed my case was concerned that my last ESA claim in 2017 led to the DWP stopping paying my N.I. contributions but they sent a letter promising they would be continuing those payments whilst I was unable to work. The judge made it clear he also wanted a DWP representative present to answer a number of questions too!

[@cherylkelly1997]

It ridiculous

[@bingohall1333]

Go to the tribunal mainly because DWP or the person who made the claims against you the person who accessed you will not be there. Mainly because they are earning four or five thousand a month from being your accuser between your illnesses and their timed accessment in which they take your illnesses and say your fitness was "?" And that's the problem and you don't know what these nurses have written about you and the box ticking paperwork they did. I missed out on PIP when I didn't go to the tribunal and losted because they made it hard for me to go to some 140 odd miles away almost 300 miles they never told me to claim for travel and everytime I spoke to the tribunal people all thy said was your ringing up to cancel it then I found out if I had spoken to arrange it being at my local community centre you know sports and voting place by booking that I would of got PIP benefit, the doctors took the work of DWP PIP accessment and not me. On another occasion and let's say the judge and the doctor took my side because I turned up with my evidence plus they didn't mention that my accessment was only 29 minutes long instead of nearly one hour in fact it was 8/9 minutes to be explained a little later,which they claimed by a nurse. Why was this late, I was waiting down stairs to be called and on that day a strike was on by the counter staff at this private outsourcing accessment services. The front door was wide open and their desk and books was open to anyone who wanted any information about that days people who had accessment. I asked to use the lift the nurse said, it was broken, then I said, I am unable to get up these stairs, so after twenty ish minutes up these stairs,I made it to the top and interview room puffing and panting and after eight or nine minutes, because the interview was over. I had gone over this interview over and over when a judgement was made against me. I appealed went to the tribunal and won for incapacity benefit since 2004 to 2011 then without warning they moved me on to ESA a few years ago when everyone else was moved and I been on this ever since. I rang up to ask about something change of circumstances and because I'm on a support group no need to contact them again until they contact me and Bob's your tea pot different change of circumstances in 2023 and this guy said I'm alright and didn't need to call we know already this made me think who's grassing me up the hospital the doctors maybe the practice nurse and another time. I phoned DWP again a year later and for the next forty minutes this guy/person tried and tried to sign me up even though, this person said, I will not be going over until later in 2026/ at the earliest in 2027 April and that's according to his computer and I didn't think it was all linked up there systems in 2024 I called them. Ps my fares for transport by taxi from my home to and from tribunal cost one hundred pounds they paid it I had to ask family for this £100 plus parking and I got this money back about five months later all on the tribunal service payout scheme Love mum

[@melanieevans9137]

Why don't they just change it over automatically. It will save time and paperwork.

[@ej_8888]

Valuable quality information! Huge thanks 🙏🏻

[@NicDent]

Department for Work & Pensions. I have received new information about my care. Mr wife carers for 35 hours each week ( Carers Benefit ). Now no longer be eligible for severe disability premium because, I claim council tax benefit and E.S.A. This is line with our switch of for U.C. Should I be dropping Carers benefit ? What am I supposed to do because I can't work due to brain tumour / cancer 😢

[@cheekster777]

Thank you Stu.

[@JourneysEndLofts]

LITTLE COMFORT FOR CLAIMANTS FROM LABOUR There was little comfort for sick and disabled claimants from the Labour Party conference this week, as shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall gave a speech that would not have sounded out of place at last week’s Conservative conference Kendall claimed that “Britain isn’t working” because more than two million sick and disabled people want to work but are prevented from doing so by the benefits system. Kendall told delegates that: “Under Labour, this will change. Our top priority will be ensuring everyone who can work, does. Because we believe the benefits of work go beyond a payslip. . . We will reform universal credit to protect people when they need it and to genuinely make work pay. . . This is our contract with the British people - real opportunities matched by the responsibility to take them up.” So, the message, it seems is much the same. Perhaps the difference, if Labour gets in, will be in the delivery.

[@Mar11932]

Labour have said if they get in power, theyre going to get rid of support group in UC.

[@martinriley106]

What happens if UC is not applicable to your circumstances? This imposed change would make me ineligible to any payment whatsoever. UC requires you to provide your partners income too, yet this claim is personal not for couples. Why is this being done?

[@voni.g.3755]

Thank you for all the information... still confused, as I'm new to all this unfortunately, as had to finish work on ill-health retirement 😢

[@Gillian-xl7wb]

My sister has just had to apply for this farse, hope she doesn't get hassled while on it. Would stress her out.

[@safirahmed]

DWP are undertaking a consultation exercise on WCA descriptors and asking for responses. Consultation closes 23:59, 30 October 2023.

[@peterdonnelly6804]

Welfare rights advisors are as rare as hens teeth now. This video is very relevant to my particular situation and iv now got 2 pages of useful notes that will be very handy indeed ❤

[@lesbrown2870]

You dont get the same amount of money at change over. Mine was £600 A MONTH less than what i was on under ESA. This has caused me no end of stress and hardship i tried my local mp and cutizenns advice and both tell me what i am getting under unicersal credit is correct . How is this fair its putting people into poverty.

[@StuartMcGoo]

It isn't, and I believe they know it.

[@JourneysEndLofts]

Hi Stu , Please accept my Apologies as i have put up SOLID information about the Changes to the Benefit system , this Information comes from a news letter i recieve called ,,Benefits and work , Take care .

[@StuartMcGoo]

Why apologise for that, we want the best information out there for everyone. If you've posted a link and it hasn't appeared send it to me and I will post it, sometimes youtube stops people from posting links in case it's spam.

[@JourneysEndLofts]

AW brilliant Stu thank you @@StuartMcGoo

[@JourneysEndLofts]

Hi Stu, I get a news letter from an Organisation called Benefits and work ,, it,s well worth signing up to , the news letters will contain up to date information on the DWP Benefit changes , it,s right up your street ,,, Take care buddy .

[@JourneysEndLofts]

Please encourage your veiwers to sign up to the news letter , they will Benefit hugely from it .

[@Lilyandmoomin]

@@JourneysEndLoftsnot everyone can afford to do so. I know it’s a one off fee. But there are months when I barely have two beans to rub together. I had to wait several months until I could afford the payment. I understand that websites that do not have advertising to pay for the site need to pay their employees some how. Hence the charge. Some people may not be in a position to pay.

[@stevebarker1974]

I have dilated cardiomyopathy and been on esa for 7yrs due to relationship breakdown I have gone into universal credit and been told I have to go through the work capability work assessment as my wife was claiming for me also they have told me that the sdp part that we both was intilted to I have been told it has not come over onto my claim even though I have told them my partner was claiming for.me and we have a letter from esa this April with evrything we was both in titled to I have a call due tomrw by a so called work coach also I have not had my col payment either my xpartner has but I have not well not as yet have not got transitional greentree I am.only getting universal credit payment I have to do.this all again even though I was on the support part of esa

[@thedukeofnuke1517]

Great Vid Stu! cheers for the info. They pulled a nasty trick on me by ending my ESA with a dodgy WCA. So I ended up on UC and they reversed their decision then... now I get the LCW component.

[@Fruit430Journey-mn2qy]

It seems like for me, they're doing the dirty the opposite way round. I am in the support group of ESA yet they've said I need to have a commitment meeting to discuss my skills & extress any barriers etc.. with the final step on my online account being preparing for a work coach where they're wanting me to fill in work-based questions. I'm beyond upset and stressed out my this process and no agent is willing to give me any answers.

[@buchanfoulsham6314]

I've been in the wrag for 12 years, but I've never been asked to do any interviews or activities because of my circumstances (i have persistent epilepsy). Im worried I'm going to come unstuck when I'm transitioned into the equivalent UC group.

[@poppiefleur7425]

If you have no family or friends to help you and you are disabled.

[@DiamondNinja8669]

❤ thank you Stu x I was awarded higher rate of pips over 2 years ago Just had to have a tel assessment - which I was awarded it again - it says at the end of 1st paragraph award is for an ongoing period - my health issues are a fair little list unfortunately - so what can I expect an ‘ongoing period’ to be? 1 year 2? 3? Tia xx

[@kittybell4604]

Ongoing is ten years from award

[@DiamondNinja8669]

@@kittybell4604much appreciated

[@JourneysEndLofts]

He argued for the need for “more frequent work-focused requirements, with firm sanctions for those who fail to fulfil their commitments”. He talked about “reforming our sickness and disability benefit assessments for the first time in over a decade, to take account of the modern workplace.” And he forecast “a revolution in the employment support we’re providing for people with health problems and disabilities”. As a result, he warned “we will be changing lives right across the country, so whatever your situation, if you can work you will be supported to do so. And if you are on benefits and able to work, you will be expected to do so.,,, FROM MEL STRIDE .

[@raoulmoat6762]

I wonder how many suicides this will create

[@VMM34]

​@@raoulmoat6762mine definitely

[@mohammedqadeer3422]

Thank you mate

[@JourneysEndLofts]

CLAIMING PIP FOR COPD AND BIPOLAR DISORDER We have created a webpage, PIP test and members supplementary guide for claimants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also have a new webpage for bipolar disorder, though we don’t have a members’ guide for this. We’re aiming to create more PIP pages on specific conditions over the coming months and, based in part on which are the most visited, aim to publish supplementary guides on some of them. Meanwhile, if anyone has claimed, or attempted to claim, PIP for any of the conditions we have covered so far, we’d be very grateful to hear about your experiences in the comments section

[@helensharp7498]

Hi what’s the name of your new website please.

[@SarahJackson-jy7xi]

I feel really sorry for the next generation the youngers.

[@lunapixie26]

I had a look on a benefit calculator and i will loose most of my daughters disability income! Its insane.

[@joannebiddle5199]

Thank you its been helpful x

[@JourneysEndLofts]

Next Edition The next edition is due out on Wednesday 8 November. Until then, we're always happy to get your feedback and suggestions for future stories. Good luck, The Office Team Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd

[@SarahJackson-jy7xi]

This system is a shambles where is the human rights theses days.. l wondering what it's going to be like in twenty years time. Kindest regards Sarah Jackson

[@JourneysEndLofts]

In this edition we reveal that Atos have been completely wiped out, as the DWP announce who will carry out your PIP and work capability assessments (WCA) from September 2024. We share the news that a Labour shadow minister rules out introducing the harsher WCA. For those of you struggling to respond the WCA consultation before the imminent deadline, we have some talking points. And we have new resources for claiming PIP for anxiety and for stroke. In our feedback section, we hear from a member who fought unsuccessfully for 20 years to get the benefits he needed, then discovered Benefits and Work and . . . well, we’ll let them tell you the rest. We also hear from a member who helped a friend with a successful changes of circumstances PIP review. And another member says they can now put the heating on after getting 14 weeks back pay of enhanced rates of P

[@sueamos3860]

This is very helpful, thank you Stu

[@michaelbarlow396]

this is very stressfull with having a mental health condition only reason why im having to move from employment saport to universal credit as i have just moved home the only way i can get housing benfit is iff i moving to univeral credit from esa its a right farse try to get help filling this application for out online get stuck on questions why cant they just leave things as they are my anxiety as worsend alot more with this ill end up been in debt with rent and council tax if i dont get this application sorted out

[@StuartMcGoo]

100% agree. I recommend trying to find support with this - advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

[@poppiefleur7425]

Not every one can.get surport

[@julieReynolds-t9g]

My husband has just got his pension he just had esa stopped will I still be claiming my I C benefit

[@julieford6204]

Thank you for the update Stuart and good information thanks 😊

[@stephenmackell2793]

Thank you stu

[@StuartMcGoo]

She shouldn't at first, but i can't make those kinds of guarantees.

[@antonyjharper31]

They messed up my change over and put me on a lower rate!

[@StuartMcGoo]

Yes, they do do that occasionally, despite what they say. Sorry that this happened to you.

[@yorkshirepud6676]

Thank You Very Much..🤓

[@toniwilliams7193]

Will they write to us when we need to switch over? Or do I need to call them? Thanks

[@StuartMcGoo]

They will contact you

[@toniwilliams7193]

@@StuartMcGoo thank you!!! Any idea on review dates please? Mine has been over 8 months so far

[@Michelle-e4z]

Very informative….

[@poppiefleur7425]

What about to some one who is homeless

[@poppiefleur7425]

I would rather give up benefit than go on UC

[@cherylkelly1997]

If I just went through a pip assessment and got it do I have to go through an assessment again

[@cherylkelly1997]

@@TONE11111 for 10 years a month ago

[@alan6056]

Thanks stu for the info,,

[@Frostie3672]

I'm curious why the rate you get stays the same when moving from other legacy benefits to uc as looking on the gov website about how much you'll receive shows that for the standard rate plus the limited capability for work & work related activity works out as a higher amount than I'm currently getting on esa in the support group?

[@raoulmoat6762]

I suspect i have a disability

[@sammymoore2430]

Me too when I look in a mirror 😢

[@JustE-gb7hl]

Alright guys i have a question, can i claim universal credit and esa at the same time and if my esa gets back dated does or will it effect my universal credit that i am due?

[@egriffiths8993]

When we move we get same rates. But is it true that each year then we get zero increase while UC will go up. Until someone who wasn’t on legacy gets the same?

[@fionagregory9376]

Universal credit is ok.

[@techjunkie68smusicandtech56]

No it is not, £358 (after deductions for housing benefits) a month to live on, you call that okay? Especially with the cost of living going up and up...

[@Vicks234]

Thank you for the explanation much appreciated

[@juliaevans9521]

It says FAQs 2, where do I find 1?

[@StuartMcGoo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6DPZoCPjbuhj7c

[@zettapreenabrigetta]

Thank you very much Stuart very informative.!

[@paulhammond3590]

Tell the government to stop giving our money away then

[@poppiefleur7425]

Is it right you only go on to uc if you claim housing benefit

[@joannebuttery3340]

I'm confused I got awarded new style ESA but I thought this was not means tested. The booklet says I have to tell them if I receive and back pay from work and my savings amount. Is this right or is it an old booklet. Won't ring I held on for over 2 hours and gave up.

[@StuartMcGoo]

No, that is correct, you must inform them if that occurs. It's not means tested but really it is! The fun of benefit rules! Strictly speaking, it is means tested but your "means" are your contributions - unless you have capital that exceeds the allowable amount - essentially it is assessed on your contributions and capitlal.. When contributions run out, it is assessed on your income and capital.

[@joannebuttery3340]

@@StuartMcGoo apparently my savings don't count as they have not asked about those. Thank you for answering my question I got through today and told them about my holiday pay.

[@lesbrown2870]

I was moved from ESA to universal credit when i moved area due to house move. Ive been on full care and mobikity components as im disabled with an incurable condition. I will disagree that you will get the same or close to ESA. Because i rent privately the rent allowance was paid by my previous council. That does no longer apply and is now included in your universal credit. I am over £600 a month worse off.. barely surviving and they dont want to know.

[@StuartMcGoo]

In your circumstances then no you won't be on the same rate and even if you were as the transitional element is not linked to inflation so it goes down over time and they stop it if your circumstances change a little bit, so over-all it's a bit of a con.

[@lesbrown2870]

I get £100 transitional rate which I've accounted for in the loss of £600 . So yes your right Massive con.

[@mrsmiggins81]

This has been a great help thank you. A fellow Digweed fan too!

[@StuartMcGoo]

Awesome, thank you! Yes love a bit of Bedrock on my cornflakes.

[@lorrainemerrigan6358]

I'm hoping you can help your my last hope I'm an oap NOT on pension credits as I have a small private pension. But after tax alot of my friends on pension credits actually get more money than me and don't pay rent or council tax, I Do. and yet I'm not eligible for cost of living payments. I've been sent all around different agencies and the answer I get we can't help because your not on pension credits. It's your usual catch22 scenario. Can you advise me

[@StuartMcGoo]

Have you spoken to your local age UK? I advise that if not first of all. You need to have a benefits check. If you are on a low income you can apply for housing benefit and council tax support separately to pension credit. This will take into account any savings you have also, but if it's less than £16,000 then you may be eligible.

[@lorrainemerrigan6358]

Asi said I have been to all agencies. I have no savings. Originally I was on housing and tax support paying 25pd a week rent 74pd council tax a month it has been reviewed and changed just recently. I saw on Google local councils have a support fund fir low income people they gave me a number for crisis fund (different name now) my reply once again you have to be on pension credits 😢 I'm not asking for money every month just treated as low income and vulnerable like those on benefits like the cost if living payments as I'm paying tax to government paying for benefits and now on lower income than those getting them plus I still have to pay a smaller amount in rent and council tax but my friends pay nothing?????

[@James-b7p2k]

@@lorrainemerrigan6358my gran is in same situation she gets a small private pension and she can’t get pension credits she did get £600 pound low other day 300 cost of living and 300 winter fuel payment…she also gets some money off her rent from council

[@im_a_scumbag_2]

Cheers son 8) By the way once you receive the switch over letter you have 3 months to do so according to the Gov site for what its worth.

[@TimThat]

Thanks Stuart

[@user-by1wx4kz9j]

Thank you Stu

[@joannebiddle5199]

Hello i am on old esa will they more me on new esa soon ???

[@gerardmurphy6263]

Thankyou

[@opticalman6417]

is it true once somoene is on pip there on it for life

[@StuartMcGoo]

Simply, no.

[@JourneysEndLofts]

This is the latest news edition for ,, 25,10,23 from Benefits and work guides you can trust ,, ATOS WIPED OUT The final combined PIP and work capability (WCA) assessment service contract has been awarded to Serco. This means that that Atos have failed to win a single region and will cease to carry out assessments from September 2024. Atos had been fighting to hang onto its final foothold in the south west of England, but have now admitted defeat. Few claimants will be sorry to see the back of them, though it’s questionable whether their replacements will be any better. Find out which company will be carrying out both PIP and work capability assessments in your area using the link below.

[@lukemorris9066]

Silly question but is this still the case ??

[@StuartMcGoo]

Pretty much, though the timescales are now between September and December of this year for everyone to move to UC.

[@lukemorris9066]

@StuartMcGoo thank you for the reply I'm just worried that I won't get the same amount I get now.

[@sarahemilymonk8877]

​@@StuartMcGoo myself and a few other friends have received our migration notice due for the end of November with tax credits ending, all with children , people are really about to struggle and noone wants to know 😢

[@OghamTheBold]

Complicated system sounds DIM (Dangerously Incompetent Mess) the Work & Health Program ignored me 12 months I had to do a sit down protest to get DWP to intervene