Told I can't claim Universal Credit due to the disability premium

joanw2od

Hi everyone.

I posted here yesterday about moving in with my boyfriend and got some amazing advice.

I'm currently claim income based ESA in the support group.

I called ESA today because I know my IB ESA will end when I move in with my boyfriend as he works 30 hours a week. They told me they'd 'suspend' my payments whilst I await a universal credit decision.

Today I went to make a joint claim for UC. Put my details in and was met with -

'You cannot currently claim universal credit if you receive the severe disability premium' and I could go no further.

Now I am in utter panic and don't know what to do. I was advised I'd have to be still in ESA support group to receive LCWRA bonus on our joint UC claim. However I cannot even start a claim for the bloody thing as they are telling me I cant go any further as soon as I declare I get the disability premium!!

What am I supposed to do? I cant end my ESA claim or I won't get additional UC money but I can't apply for UC whilst I claim a disability premium. My boyfriend and I simply cannot live off of his low income. I'm so worried and upset.

45002

joanw2od wrote:

Hi everyone.

I posted here yesterday about moving in with my boyfriend and got some amazing advice.

I'm currently claim income based ESA in the support group.

I called ESA today because I know my IB ESA will end when I move in with my boyfriend as he works 30 hours a week. They told me they'd 'suspend' my payments whilst I await a universal credit decision.

Today I went to make a joint claim for UC. Put my details in and was met with -

'You cannot currently claim universal credit if you receive the severe disability premium' and I could go no further.

Now I am in utter panic and don't know what to do. I was advised I'd have to be still in ESA support group to receive LCWRA bonus on our joint UC claim. However I cannot even start a claim for the bloody thing as they are telling me I cant go any further as soon as I declare I get the disability premium!!

What am I supposed to do? I cant end my ESA claim or I won't get additional UC money but I can't apply for UC whilst I claim a disability premium. My boyfriend and I simply cannot live off of his low income. I'm so worried and upset.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6011944/advice-on-benefits-and-moving-in-together


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joanw2od

Just realised I probably don't get the severe disability premium at all. But maybe someone can advise me?

I get Support group ESA at a rate of around £111 a week, on top of this I get an 'enhanced disability premium for being in the support group' at the rate of about £16 a month. So I guess I was panicking for no reason. I've done the maths and if I was claiming the severe disability premium I'd get around £700 a month in ESA. I definitely do not get this. I normally get about £513 a month.

I also am living with my parents and the requirements for a severe disability premium state that you cannot be living with anyone over the age of 18. So I guess I never had the SDP.

poppy12345

joanw2od wrote: »

Just realised I probably don't get the severe disability premium at all. But maybe someone can advise me?

I get Support group ESA at a rate of around £111 a week, on top of this I get an 'enhanced disability premium for being in the support group' at the rate of about £16 a month. So I guess I was panicking for no reason. I've done the maths and if I was claiming the severe disability premium I'd get around £700 a month in ESA. I definitely do not get this. I normally get about £513 a month.

I also am living with my parents and the requirements for a severe disability premium state that you cannot be living with anyone over the age of 18. So I guess I never had the SDP.

No, that amount doesn't include the SDP as you live with your parents you won't be entitled to it. This means you can claim UC when you move in with your partner.