UC and Changes

SeaJ

Hello
I have two questions concerning UC and I am hoping for some advice.

(1) We are not currently on UC but I entered our details into an online benefits calculator and the result was that we'd be worse off by about £80 a week. Is this correct, are people going to be much worse off than they are?

(2) I have heard that for the time being if your circumstances do not change, you will not be moved over to UC. My son is in college and when the term finishes in June (he'll be going back in September), does this constitue a change?

Thanks all.

pmlindyloo

It is true that some UC claimants will be worse off if they are naturally migrated to UC as they will not have a transitional protection.

For natural migration to occur there must be a significant change of circumstances. Your scenario does not constitute a significant change of circumstances - your son will still be attending college.

It would help if we knew what benefits you are currently claiming and what likely changes of circumstances might occur in the near future.

SeaJ

Hi pmlindyloo, thank you very much for replying.

Here are the benefits our family currently receive:

Myself, PIP (high care no mobility), and Incapacity Benefit (I think they recently called it ESA?)
My wife, PIP (low care and low mobility), nothing else
My youngest son is in college and gets £30 a week whilst attending
My eldest son is in work and gives us £50 a week but he'll be moving out sooner rather than later
Child Benefit and Tax Credits for youngest being in education

pmlindyloo

So, you receive ESA and your wife has been added to your claim?

You receive PIP - enhanced care, no mobility.
Your wife receives PIP - standard care and standard mobility

Child Benefit and Child Tax credits.

I can see no future change of circumstances - your eldest working son leaving home or your youngest son starting work/leaving home - that would trigger a change of circumstances as you would lose child benefit/child tax credits when youngest starts work/moves out but would not be claiming any new benefits.

So, you would only be part of managed migration which would have transitional protection.

Just one more thing........ do you claim HB or housing costs - if you do, are you likely to move in the future?

SeaJ

We have full HB and are not looking to move anywhere at all.

Sorry, I'm not sure what you are saying re: my sons. Are you saying:

The eldest son leaving home would not trigger a change
The youngest son starting work would not trigger a change

What would constitute a change of circumstances, if myself or my wife started work?

pmlindyloo

SeaJ wrote: »

We have full HB and are not looking to move anywhere at all.

Sorry, I'm not sure what you are saying re: my sons. Are you saying:

The eldest son leaving home would not trigger a change
The youngest son starting work would not trigger a change

What would constitute a change of circumstances, if myself or my wife started work?

Any change to your sons' circumstances would not trigger a move to UC.

If you or your wife started working then this may trigger a change to be migrated to Universal Credit.

It depends on what is happening in your area as regards Universal Credit.

Put your postcode into this link and find out what is happening in your area.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/

SeaJ

Thank you very much for the advice and help