Universal credit query?

Pinky85

Hi all, I am wondering if someone could help me on something I am a bit confused about regarding UC.
So me and my partner live together and claim couples ESA (he claims for us both and my claim was left open for NI credits ) we aren’t on UC just yet or have been told we shall be switching but I like to get a heads up and what we can maybe be expecting money wise when we do get the switch.
On the Gov website it gives you breakdown of what you will get so far I know that it says we will get £498.89 as we are a couple both over the age of 25. Then comes the tricky bit I’m unsure of...
we are both currently in the WRAG as we both have limited capabilities work wise . So it says you’ll get £336.60 extra a month if you have limited capability for work or work related activity, and then there’s £126.11 extra a month if you have limited capability work and started your UC or ESA claim before 3rd April 2017.
This is where I don’t know which one we fall under.
I have been closing ESA since it first came about as I was switched from Incapacity benefit onto ESA so we are taking years and years (I have never worked) and my partner started claiming his ESA in 2016. We started our joint claim in July 2017 when we moved in together.

So can anyone help me figure out which one it will be ?

Thanks
X

poppy12345

Managed migration doesn't start until at least next year so it could be years before you're invited to move across. I really wouldn't think about it just yet, unless you have a change of circumstances in the meantime that will prompt a move.

Pinky85

Thank you for replying. My other half and my family keep saying the same thing. But in all honesty it keeps me awake at night. My depression and my anxiety has spiralled downward because of my constant obsession and worry with being moved as I am seeing and hearing so many awful stories in the press etc.... it’s made me a nervous wreck to be honest. I do the UC benefit calculator at least 3 times a week just to put my mind at ease. It’s a nightmare .

poppy12345

To answer your question WRAG is equivalent to limited capability for work. This means that you'll receive the £126 extra per month but you will only receive one of those even though you both have LCW. Then you'll receive the couples standard element on top.



Benefit calculators are usually correct, if you put all the correct details into them. As i advised managed migration is some time off yet.

Pinky85

Thanks. So we won’t be eligible for the £336.60? That’s come as a surprise Cos I thought that’s the one we would get... so that means we will lose out on a lot of money than we are getting now .

Pinky85

Actually I just worked it out and we will get £2 extra a month than what we get now.... plus we will get our rent on top of that as we get HB too.

poppy12345

Pinky85 wrote: »

Thanks. So we won’t be eligible for the £336.60? That’s come as a surprise Cos I thought that’s the one we would get... so that means we will lose out on a lot of money than we are getting now .

You are in the WRAG which is Limited capability for work. The £336 is for those that have limited capability for work related activity (Support Group) you won't be any worse off because there will be a transitional support protection in place to make sure you're not any worse off. This could be 3-4 years away, unless you have a change of circumstances to prompt a move in the meantime.