Currently on Esa, making new UC claim.

Ri7727

Hello.
I'm a little bit confused with this problem so I am seeking your advice & help please.
My problem is I am currently on a high rate of ESA and in a support group, however I got pregnant and I have just given birth to my daughter.
I need to ring the ESA to tell them she has finally arrived, however I am being told I would be switched on Universal credits instead of ESA and it would be treated as a new claim therefore I would lose the rate I am currently getting and would have to be reassessed. Is this true what I am being told by others?
To be honest I just want a little advice on what I do now the baby is born, who do I ring? What do I say? What happens? Ect..
I'm really panicking about it all as I heard the new system is dreadful and people are worse off, I am really worried about what happens next..
Thank you in advance for the replies..

Alice_Holt

I would seek advice from your local advice centre / CAB.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/

If you are in a full UC area:
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

Then you cannot claim child tax credits for your daughter, this now comes under UC. If you wish to claim this (£231 pm) you do need to claim UC.

However your current award of SG ESA should be recognised and you should receive the LCWRA element of UC which is an additional £328pm over the basic allowance.
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Additional-Elements-of-Universal-Credit

"You may have to wait three months for your LCWRA element to be added on. Though there are some instances where it can be added on straight away such as if you are terminally ill or you were entitled to one of the Employment and Support Allowance components immediately prior to your Universal Credit claim."

huckster

Do you have a spouse/partner ? What is their current situation ? Are they working ? Do they claim any benefits ?

Do you have a housing costs ?

Are you planning on moving and will you have a change to housing costs ?

This information would help assist assessing your position.

You might have to move to UC, but this might actually be better for you. People that struggle with UC, tend to be people who can't manage their money, find it difficult going to Job Centre to verify information or find it difficult using an online benefit system.

Get your baby registered as soon as possible and submit a child benefit claim as soon as possible. One way DWP verify children to pay child amounts such as children element of UC, is to check child benefit system.

As stated by Alice, if you claim UC, make them aware straight away that you were in ESA Support Group. Send them a journal note and call them to check that the UC equivalent LCWRA (limited capability for work and work related actvity) has been added.