ESA Support Group and Universal Credit

nad1611

Just wanted some clarification or opinions. I had believed that only the Income based/Means tested benefit ESA would come under the umbrella of Universal Credit, but according to an e petition I came across, it seems to be suggesting that the Support Group CB will be affected too. It seems that although it states in the Bill that Support Group claimants won't be affected, but apparently dig a bit deeper and it also states that "the earnings rules for ESA will be aligned with Universal Credit.

Is this how it sounds. I believed that those in the Support Group and presumably the most vulnerable were those the Government sought to protect. Surely the fact that they are on CB shows they have paid into a system, for this. I'd appreciate others take on this.

nad1611

Here's the e petition.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32503

nad1611

Just bumping this as would really appreciate others take on this.Thanks

Cpt.Scarlet

nad1611 wrote: »

Just wanted some clarification or opinions. I had believed that only the Income based/Means tested benefit ESA would come under the umbrella of Universal Credit, but according to an e petition I came across, it seems to be suggesting that the Support Group CB will be affected too. It seems that although it states in the Bill that Support Group claimants won't be affected, but apparently dig a bit deeper and it also states that "the earnings rules for ESA will be aligned with Universal Credit.

Is this how it sounds. I believed that those in the Support Group and presumably the most vulnerable were those the Government sought to protect. Surely the fact that they are on CB shows they have paid into a system, for this. I'd appreciate others take on this.

I haven't seen anything to suggest this will happen and the new (draft) ESA Regulations to be made law next year are still showing the current £85/w disregard with 50% deduction on the excess.

benefitbaby

Just to clarify, Universal Credit is replacing working age means-tested benefits:
- income-related ESA
- income-based JSA
- income support
- housing benefit
- working tax credit
- child tax credit

Therefore if you receive any one of the above you will be reassessed for UC and your conts-based ESA, earnings, capital would be taken into account just as it would be now for example in calulating HB. The difference is that UC is calulated in a different way, with different disregards and it is housing costs that are reduced before anything else.

nad1611

Okay thanks for this. Strange that the e petition is under way.

Thanks benefit baby I was aware of the aabove but good to have it reiterated anyway.