AMA I work for DWP

[PurpleDaisy2114]

Just that really! Not in senior management.

Mrspotter- there are advances but these are repayable so not always an ideal solution. That sounds impossible.

So nothing long term?

DS hasn't ever worked as he is severely disabled from birth so hasn't had the ability to make a financial contribution. He has never claimed ESA before. Thanks anyway

Staying alive I know that GPS who issue lots of Med certs/fit notes are likely to be identified and an attempt made to work with them. Some GPs will not allow DWP staff through the door.
PIP is notoriously difficult to claim but as said, is not usually work related?

Should people still on the legacy benefits stay on them as long as possible (ie single mums not risk trying to find a new job-with the fear they will then need to go on UC)?
It doesnt seem worth the risk

I ask myself this question all the time. ANY change of circs means you will go on UC. If I was a single Mum in that position with no family support or financial back up and I knew I couldn't afford that initial wait then I would do everything I could to avoid changing. Some people are worse off on UC but in the long run it can be beneficial especially as work search requirements can be switched off depending on circa whereas with JSA you could be more likely to be sanctioned if not looking for work. It is a bit of a rock and a hard place situation.

New style ESA usually means contribution based as far as I'm aware?

Mrspotter- PIP is a long term option as not income related. Also not sure of your housing situation but there is a discretionary housing payment too?

If I was a single Mum in that position with no family support or financial back up and I knew I couldn't afford that initial wait then I would do everything I could to avoid changing
Thank you.
What about transition, when will it happen and how?

Do you come across many cases of fraud in your job and how do you deal with them? Do you think having several different benefits under the UC umbrella will reduce fraudulent claims?

Universal Live has migrated over to UC full service- they didn’t have the waiting period as it was all timed for their UC full service payment to come on the same day as their Universal Live. I imagine it’ll be the same with ESA, JSA and Income support so they will not have the 5 week waiting period

My DH was made redundant a few years back, he signed up for JSA mainly so that his ni was paid, he was claiming for 5 months then found a job, we then received a letter to pay the JSA back either in one payment or through his new employment, since then, I have never met anyone who has also had to pay the money back, Why him?

Hi OP,

Do you think there is a ‘dependency culture’ in some parts of the country?

@Solebizzz- as your son hasn’t worked he wouldn’t be able to claim new style ESA. He would have to claim ESA through UC. Initially he would be in the intensive regime as looking for work but the work coach will be able to be flexible about this until he is entitled to ESA. The flexibility works as not requiring him to look for work and switching off commitments to look for work until his ESA eligibility comes through. This is a requirement in the UC guidance for customers who are clearly not able to look for work and are awaiting ESA assessment

This is the guidance for the easements- data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-0759/Easement_of_LM_regime_interventions_v2.0.pdf

She has lost pip and esa I think. She was told by her consultant that as they had people working in wheelchairs she had no excuse and she would get her working. We asked what would happen if she died in the process and she literally laughed at us. Blood pressure of 200 should not stop you working apparently and fibromyalgia is 'a made up condition '. It is all an absolute joke and horrific. They treat everyone as if they are lazy benefit frauds.
I know I could lose my sister due to her ill health but as long as she spends hours on the system looking for work!

Hi OP. I am that single mom, can you clarify when you say any change of circumstances.
Does that include when my youngest leaves nursery to start school?
Thank you

How easy is it to get a home assessment for PIP? Previously I’ve always managed to get to an assessment centre but there’s absolutely no way I could do it now. Really worried I’ll be forced to!

If you have 3+ children, currently claim TC and have a change of circumstances (new job, lose job?) are you put on UC? I thought those with 3 or more children were stuck on TC for now?

I rang DWP as I am aware you need to inform them of any changes only to speak to someone who made out I was obviously stupid to be ringing. (Fwiw I'm a qualified nurse with a degree so not that stupid). My husband rang the next day and spoke to someone who was very helpful and sent out reassessment forms. My questions is do all staff have the same training? I would never have spoke to a patient or their relatives that way.

If your child starts school you have to notify them as your child care element will change.

My son has been waiting for a pip, assessment for months, 3 times he took medical evidence in to the job centre and twice they lost it, and got mixed up with his twins details he was switched to UC earlier in the year, and in he meantime was given a HA flat
He was and still is struggling to live,he owes rent, cant afford heating , and had no real money since late October, he still gets £73 a week and is supposed to be on benefits for his health, he was on ESA , when he enquired what was happening UC said he had been paid by ESA who said UC should have paid him he wont get any more money until the 15th of January, apart from the £73
It is disgraceful the way people are being treated
Fortunately our HA are very understanding and are helping him as much as possible
He also owes his warden so cant use that service if he needs it
I have helped him out as much as i can but im on a state pension, and not well off either

Princess- why did your son need to take PIP evidence into a Jobcentre? There is usually an address provided so it goes directly to them. PIP offices are very very rarely within the Jobcentre. Has he enquired about a discretionary housing payment via the local authority? This can be used to pay arrears etc

@Tiredmum100- we all receive the same training and have training sessions weekly. The call centres are either answered by case managers or the contracted out provider.

Yes I understand and will notify them when she starts school.
I am wondering if the change from nursery to school is enough to trigger moving me to UC?

Not sure to be honest why he had to take medical evidence in to the job centre but he was waiting for someone to visit him regarding pip last month, ,i could have got mixed up somewhere but i know he is still waiting for a pip assessment there was a lot of confusion about the medical evidence as he and his twin both suffer with the same condition, he also had to take lots of medical evidence in to the HA to be awarded a warden controlled flat, which he got in the end,
I do know though that he kept being asked for medical evidence and when a new health problem was added it put his claim for UC back a few weeks, could it have been for ESA?
I will ask him again when i see him, but i do know he wont have a payment until the 15th January