Moving from ESA support group to PIP

adidas

Hello all

Asking for a relative aged over 60.
They've received a letter to apply for PIP instead of ESA/DLA. I know this will trigger a claim for Universal Credit. Currently not able to work to disability.
I'm not sure what will happen with the claim though looks like PIP not as generous as ESA/DLA.

My question is about other associated benefits - council tax benefit, housing benefit and bedroom tax. It's my understanding that these get rolled into one for Universal Credit. Does all the housing costs get paid from Universal credit? Does bedroom tax still get paid out?

Is the Universal Credit amount always a standard amount of is there variability?

To have Universal Credit in these circumstances - do you need to do job searches and is there conditionality attached?

It would be quite challenging to work, if it ever is feasible then 2-4hours a week would be all that's realistic.

Regarding working then how much would be allowed before deductions from Universal Credit?

I suspect the overall amount of benefits to drop significantly and trying to plan / help with these changes and figure out what sort of financial position we will find ourselves in.

[Deleted User]

I suspect they have received a letter to apply for PIP to replace DLA, ESA is a separate benefit, it is likely that they won't be transferred to UC until after 2020 or later under managed migration.

poppy12345

ESA and DLA are completely different benefits.


PIP has replaced DLA and this is why they've received this form. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Personal-Independence-Payment/What-is-PIP


See PIP descriptors here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf


Transferring to PIP will not prompt a move to UC and their ESA won't be affected, it will remain as it is.

adidas

Thanks for this.

ESA being separate - does this mean in the future even when on UC you can claim ESA and PIP? I came across something that said new ESA is likely to be contribution based?

poppy12345

adidas wrote: »

Thanks for this.

ESA being separate - does this mean in the future even when on UC you can claim ESA and PIP? I came across something that said new ESA is likely to be contribution based?

When they do eventually move across to UC then the ESA will stop and payment will be paid as UC. Housing benefit will stop 2 weeks after they claim UC and housing costs will be paid in with the UC payment.


New style ESA is for those that have paid NI contributions from working in the previous 2 tax years and isn't part of UC.

poppy12345

For now though they need to concentrate on filling out the PIP form with as much information about how their condition affects them as possible.



Make sure they send evidence to support their claim with the form because they very rarely contact anyone for this.


Expect a face to face assessment as most people have them. Once a decision is made their DLA will stop 4 weeks later. If the PIP is successful PIP will start 3 weeks after that.


https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/