Leaving Jobseekers allowance to go on Universal credit

romgom

Hi, I'm new, nice to meet you. I need your help. I am on jobseekers allowance. When I apply for Universal Credit can I still remain on jobseekers allowance whilst my application for universal credit is being considered? Does the act of making an application for universal credit mean that I will automatically and instantly lose my jobseekers allowance even though my application has not been accepted or there is a delay in it being accepted maybe because I do not have enough personal information and ID to show them or for any other reason? I do not want to be where I can not be able to be on jobseekers allowance any more but not able to be on Universal Credit.  

calcotti

What JSA are you on?
If it is new style JSA it will continue until it runs out after 26 weeks.
If it is income based JSA then applying for UC will automatically trigger the end of the JSA claim and payment will stop 2 weeks after the date you apply for UC. 
Are you claiming any other benefits?

romgom

I am on income based JSA plus housing benefit and no other benefits. Would there be an automatic trigger of my JSA claim end of my JSA irrigardless of whether or not I succeed in my application for UC. Like I said I do not want to lose my JSA and at the same time my application for UC is unsuccessful. I do not mind losing my JSA so long as I succeed in applying for UC, my application is accepted and I am on it getting money.

Spoonie_Turtle

UC would replace Housing Benefit as well.  I can't think of any reason you would not be entitled to UC as you are currently eligible for ib-JSA and HB, but put your details into a benefits calculator to make certain.

[Deleted User]

Don't forget that claiming Universal Credit will stop your Housing Benefit, too, and you'll never be able to claim it again.   There's a housing element to UC of course but there are also more conditions attached.

calcotti

Perhaps you could say why, if you are so worried about it, you want to move from JSA to UC.

romgom

I don't know if I have CURRENTLY have all the information that is needed  to succeed in application. I don't have an up to date passport etc particularly as my nationality is not English and what about bank statements for my individual bank accounts. After applying they might require me to provide information that don't currently have. I am cautious.

calcotti

As I said, if you are so fearful why do you want to change anyway?

romgom

well I've been told that I will get £20 extra a week on UC because of the virus that strangely and unfairly enough I don't on JSA and I think that the jobcentre might want me to leave JSA to UC because they keep on telling me on the phone why I should but I can say to them that I want to remain on JSA I suppose but I don't want to annoy them. I want to get on well with them.

calcotti

Under current regulations the £20 will be removed in October. DWP cannot, currently, make you move to UC, it’s your choice.

NedS

romgom said:

I don't know if I have CURRENTLY have all the information that is needed  to succeed in application. I don't have an up to date passport etc particularly as my nationality is not English

Your ID can be verified by asking you security questions if you do not have PhotoID, so this is not particularly an issue.

Do you have settled status? If not, you should apply. If you have a share code given to you when you were awarded settled status, UC will use this to verify your rights to claim benefits.