Moving from esa to universal credit

Caseyffa

Hi I know there are so many posts on this subject but things like this usually depend on the circumstances so Id like to post

I have a few simplified (as much as I can) queries
I tend to ramble on/ or get sidetracked otherwise. But let me know any additional info you would find useful to know in order to give advice

I remember doing some research in the first quarter of the year and the jobcentre told me over the phone not to worry about applying for UC as my area wasn’t full service and they said I would receive a letter telling when I needed to claim. I’ve also read about that.

I have just found out that my area is full service UC (since JUNE). I am on income related esa-support group. I didn’t receive a letter but Obviously i will need to claim. Would rather take responsibility and sort it out ASAP than be lazy waiting around for either the possibly of a letter or getting into trouble for not claiming.

I have received full housing benefit since June 2016. I moved into my first 1 bed council flat yesterday. My rent is £125.44 per week to be paid monthly/in arrears(on housing benefit) and Included in the rent amount is £7.29 per week water rate which I need to pay myself. When I signed the Tenancy the council said my rent would start next Wednesday. (Last minute edit: I’ve only just realised something... so the rent “starts” on Wednesday is that when first payment is due? I’m under this impression right now since rent is paid in monthly arrears but I added this part in last minute and the rest of this post is with the perception that my first rent payment is due to the council on Wednesday.)

The rent is to be paid directly to the council via housing benefit (as I don’t yet have a UC claim).

SINCE ITS my first week I want to be sure rent gets paid so I probably won’t start my UC claim until Wednesday or Thursday(whenever I get confirmation my rent has been paid to the council). (Last minute note:if rent payment is not due until following weeks I will make the UC claim next well as will have time to hopefully receive an advance/use my esa money)

Also I’ve read that esa ends As soon as UC starts. Is this correct? And does esa stop on the date I make the claim online? Or afterwards (if so at which point?)

Will I be required to attend an appointment at the job centre when I make my claim? If so what happens?

I also have questions about if a reassessment is required but I don’t know when my esa claim started. And I’ve already tried typing out and explaining but it’s too complex to put into words. So could someone please tell me under which circumstances a reassessment under UC is needed/not needed and hopefully I can try and find out next week when my claim started.

Also I have a budgeting loan out. Will repayments automatically come from UC directly (like how it currently is being automatically repaid through esa) or will I have to arrange repayment myself?

Onto UC rates...
I’ve been over the amounts stated online for UC and I just can’t figure it out. On this point, ignoring how much I owe for the budgeting loan (I can calculate and deduct from the UC rates later)what rates would I be eligible for income ( esa replacement )?
I don’t get pip or anything I just get the IR esa support group rate (110.75pw wow Its gone up AGAIN?😃) and the only premium I get is enhanced disability premium of £16.40 pw.

I will most likely apply for UC next week and also call CAB (although they’re really difficult to get through to in my area for some reason). And update my circumstances everywhere else needed. But I have too much on my mind right now so even a little clarification now regarding esa-UC will help

Thanks In Advance

calcotti

The process of being required to transfer from ESA to UC will not start until July next year and will it end until 2023 (assuming it goes to the current plan).

You do not need to do anything now. You can choose to if you wish.

If you transfer to UC you get monthly payments instead of fortnightly payments. Instead of £254.30/fortnight I calculate you would get £646.14/month. This is made up of the basic element and the LCWRA element (equivalent of the support group). This is equivalent to £149.11/week so is an increase on the £127.15 you get on ESA. This is without the housing cost element which I would expect to match your HB.

You can use a benefit calculator to check this. If you cannot, try to get you local Citizens Advice to check the figures for you.

If you do change to UC you should not be required to have another assessment and your ESA work capability status should be transferred to UC but the DWP are making a mess of the process in many cases. There will be a delay in sorting this out so your first UC payment is likely to be only £317.82 for the month (plus housing costs). You may be required to have a new assessment cause the DWP can do this at any time anyway

If you transfer to UC your help with rent will be paid to you not your landlord. You will be responsible for paying the landlord.

The sanctions regime on UC is tougher than on ESA (although that will not affect you while you have LCWRA).

You will have to manage your UC claim online.

If you claim UC your ESA will stop at once and your HB will stop after two weeks but you will not get your first UC for at least 5 weeks unless you ask for an advance which you will have to pay back over 12 months.

I don’t know if the loan repayment will be different on UC to ESA.

It does look as if you may be better off by £20/week on UC but there are downsides and I repeat you do not need to do anything now and I would strongly recommend you do not rush it. Get the figures checked before deciding. Once you have started a UC application there is no going back.

Are you likely to apply for PIP? If you are likely to claim PIP and you live alone then I would urge you not to claim UC as you will be better off on ESA because a successful PIP claim could increase your ESA but would not increase your UC.

Caseyffa

Woah thank you so much for all of that information!! That’s a huge load off of my mind. I wasn’t expecting anyone to understand my babbling but you seem and you managed to simplify your answers so well also ��

I won’t be claiming PIP as I’m not eligible

Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to give me information and advice that means a lot


Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend