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ESA Migration
- Louisa
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16 hours 39 minutes ago #308957 by Louisa
ESA Migration was created by Louisa
Please can someone advise me as I’m so frustrated I’m in tears.
I have recently gone through the ESA migration to UC. I am going to be paid some money by UC and some through New Style ESA.
Before I was income based ESA. I recently have had 2 bills from Council Tax telling me it has now gone up to the full amount and I’m no longer entitled to council tax benefit.
I have just spoken to CT and ESA who have told me there is now no such thing as income based, everyone is on contribution. Therefore I’m no longer entitled to free prescriptions and have to pay full council tax. Surely this can’t be right???
I have recently gone through the ESA migration to UC. I am going to be paid some money by UC and some through New Style ESA.
Before I was income based ESA. I recently have had 2 bills from Council Tax telling me it has now gone up to the full amount and I’m no longer entitled to council tax benefit.
I have just spoken to CT and ESA who have told me there is now no such thing as income based, everyone is on contribution. Therefore I’m no longer entitled to free prescriptions and have to pay full council tax. Surely this can’t be right???
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- David
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14 hours 20 minutes ago #308959 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic ESA Migration
Hi Louisa
As you are getting Universal Credit you are receiving a means tested Benefit which is income based. You can also get New Style ESA which is Contribution based at the same time as UC.
The rules on free prescriptions are made by the NHS and are as follows regarding Universal Credit....
"While you're waiting on your Universal Credit decision -
Until your first assessment period is complete, Universal Credit doesn't entitle you to help with NHS costs.
If you need to pay for any NHS charges, for example, prescriptions or dental treatment, make sure you get a receipt and ask how you can claim a refund.
If you pay for a prescription, ask for a refund receipt called an FP57 when you pay - you can't get one later."
The NHS provide an online Help with Health Costs checker ( link below )
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-help
Each Council in the UK has its own separate Council Tax Reduction scheme. So to check that you are paying the correct Council Tax for your area I would advise you to phone or email the local Citizens Advice office for your town and ask them to check for you.
Let me know how you get on.
David
As you are getting Universal Credit you are receiving a means tested Benefit which is income based. You can also get New Style ESA which is Contribution based at the same time as UC.
The rules on free prescriptions are made by the NHS and are as follows regarding Universal Credit....
"While you're waiting on your Universal Credit decision -
Until your first assessment period is complete, Universal Credit doesn't entitle you to help with NHS costs.
If you need to pay for any NHS charges, for example, prescriptions or dental treatment, make sure you get a receipt and ask how you can claim a refund.
If you pay for a prescription, ask for a refund receipt called an FP57 when you pay - you can't get one later."
The NHS provide an online Help with Health Costs checker ( link below )
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-help
Each Council in the UK has its own separate Council Tax Reduction scheme. So to check that you are paying the correct Council Tax for your area I would advise you to phone or email the local Citizens Advice office for your town and ask them to check for you.
Let me know how you get on.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Louisa
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14 hours 13 minutes ago #308960 by Louisa
Replied by Louisa on topic ESA Migration
Thank you so much for your reply. The council tax person was saying the UC didn’t count so she was obviously wrong. I’m through the assessment period now so should still be able to get the prescriptions. I’ll definitely speak to the CAB on Monday.
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