Moving to UC

calcotti

By my calculation in general a single claimant on ESA transferring to UC will be worse off if they are getting the SDP in their ESA bit if they don’t get the SDP they will be better off on UC because the LCWRA element is worth more than the support component and enhanced disability premium.

Alice_Holt

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Haven't checked the monthly rate versus the weekly rate but I think your UC total includes the housing element whereas the OP's ESA rate doesn't include their HB.

Or am I mistaken?

Yes, that's right.

I was looking at the the option of remaining on ESA, having moved (and not being able to claim HB - as now in a UC area);
compared to claiming UC and getting the housing element.

The OP would be slightly better off not claiming UC, and paying housing costs from his ESA.
But would lose out on any Future UC compensation payments due (per your earlier post) re lost the disability premiums.

Alice_Holt

karonnie wrote: »

I think the best thing for me to do is to stay with esa/pip for a few monthUCand pay my own rent so I can save money for the transition period in between moving to UC.

I can't seem to get any clear answer on what I would receive as the online calculators give me different amounts!

It wouldn't be so frustrating if I hadn't literally just got my esa and pip sorted after months of waiting!

Thanks for all your help x

It may be worth a benefit check at your local advice agency / CAB to confirm the UC payable.

It's a sad indictment on UC that you are better off paying rent from legacy benefits than claiming UC.
I would make your MP aware, as it may help in future when the UC compensation payments are made. In any case MP's should be aware of the difficulties with UC.

WillowCat

No-one seems to have thought of the Universal Credit (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018 which are currently moving through parliament.

Because people who lost SDP when moving to UC are to be compensated (announced after a court case was lost by the government in June this year), these regulations detail how people who claim (or have claimed) SDP are to be treated.

Those who haven't yet claimed UC will not be able to do so after 16th January 2019. They will have to remain on legacy benefits until managed migration (where they will be protected by transitional protection) even if they have to make a new claim to a legacy benefit (e.g. housing benefit).

Therefore the OP should not claim UC, but pay rent out of their own resources for now. On or shortly after 16th January 2019 they will be able to make a new claim to housing benefit.

The caveat on this is whether it does get through parliament in time - at the moment there are 8 bills in front of it for debate so I hope it will just squeak in. The house of lords was concerned about the timing and was suggesting that it be split out of the larger piece of legislation to ensure it passes in time.

karonnie

I'll hold off for now and see what happens around the 16th.

I've set up a mail redirection so I dont need to change my address details yet and I've let HB know I will be closing my current claim.

I did apply for council tax reduction in my new area but their HB dept is the same and the form was for claiming both. I did state I was a home owner (my new place is a quartershare) and that I only wanted to claim the reduction so we'll see what happens.

I could survive with a drop but it seems unfair to have to when my disability is still the same and I was deemed to need it before.

calcotti

karonnie wrote: »

I did apply for council tax reduction in my new area but their HB dept is the same and the form was for claiming both. I did state I was a home owner (my new place is a quartershare) and that I only wanted to claim the reduction so we'll see what happens.

The council wouldn't be able to accept an application for housing benefit from you so it will be treated as an application for CTR only. There are some groups of people who can still claim HB and councils need the same information for both so I think most are just continuing with their old forms.

Ames

karonnie wrote: »

I'll hold off for now and see what happens around the 16th.

I've set up a mail redirection so I dont need to change my address details yet and I've let HB know I will be closing my current claim.

I did apply for council tax reduction in my new area but their HB dept is the same and the form was for claiming both. I did state I was a home owner (my new place is a quartershare) and that I only wanted to claim the reduction so we'll see what happens.

I could survive with a drop but it seems unfair to have to when my disability is still the same and I was deemed to need it before.

You might find that DWP mail isn't redirected, and the royal mail website suggests they may tell the DWP about your new address.

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8070/~/what-mail-can-be-redirected%3F