ESA

[LastTwoBraincellsFightingFor3rdPlace]

Is anyone who has knowledge of disability benefits able to help me with my query please?

I’ve been claiming ESA since the end of April 2024. I also applied for UC, but we have not received any payments from UC as my partner’s wage is over the threshold.

I received a letter yesterday that I have LCWRA and then another letter today to say I am owed £170 from UC due to being LCWRA.

However, I am confused because I thought I’d be receiving a backdated payment in relation to my ESA claim for the support element (£47.70 per week) from the 14th week of my claim (2nd of August 2024).

I calculated that would give me a backdated payment of £1,574.10. Is this right? Or have I made a mistake somewhere? The letter telling me I’m due to receive a £170 backdated payment has completely thrown me off. Or is this £170 completely separate from the ESA backdated payment?

TIA

The ESA will be New Style; ie Contribution Based. As you say you would expect £47.70 from week 14 on. That should be paid through ESA.

UC arrears would add the LCfRA Element for roughly the same period but that would be reduced becuase of your partner's earnings after Work Allowance and the 55p for evert £1 taper.

Did the communication from UC explain how they arrived at £170?

Thank you. I phoned ESA, and I’ll be getting the backdated payment on Monday.

The UC calculations were very random ranging from £47 to £8, I really can’t make sense of them… I’ll send a screenshot, one moment

Here it is

Do your partners earnings vary each month?

Not typically, but my DP had a pay rise a few months ago

If he's paid weekly then that would also result in variable amounts being paid as some months he would have four paydays fall in your assessment period and some months five.

@LastTwoBraincellsFightingFor3rdPlace Do you (a) pay rent, (b) have children or are either you or DP a Carer?

Thank you. My DP is paid monthly

We have a mortgage and my DP cares for me. I’m not sure if UC or ESA are aware of that though. Would it change anything?

It looks as though there are hyperlinks via the dates of the statements. I'd expect those to give a breakdown of the Max UC, ie the sum of elements in your award less deductions for ESA and partner's salary.

As you are not claiming housing costs for rent you'll get a higher Work Allowance ie money you keep before your UC starts to be tapered.

If you get PIP and you partner spends more than 35 hours a week as your Carer you should get extra money for that.