Question About Moving From ESA to UC

Jonj1611

So at the moment I am getting income based ESA and have been for best part of 8 years now. I currently have an assessment once every 3 years give or take and I see the job centre once in a blue moon. 

According to entitledto I could be £36 a week better off going to UC so I am considering it however I struggle with my mental health and was wondering if I moved to UC how does the disability side of it work. Will I be expected to see the job centre often like "normal" UC people do or is it similar to how it works with ESA where I see them every now and again? 

Alice_Holt

If you are in the ESA support group, then you should be placed in LCWRA group of UC.  
The commitments (to engage with JC staff), and assessment criteria for both are the same for both ESA & UC.
There may be a delay (whilst ESA & UC communicate) before the LCWRA is applied to your UC account.
Initially you may need to supply UC with fit notes to avoid any job seeking commitments

The main issue for you may be with cashflow. UC is paid in arrears - so there will be a delay of some 5 weeks after applying and before the first UC payment.
If you are in receipt of HB, this can run on for 2 weeks after you make the claim for UC.

It's possible a move to UC may prompt a new assessment. 

If you do decide to apply, you may wish to use:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb3MZU1g5YDPAYdtiF8IDwgnWJJPYdsNfLMjNcp9xsHccI7_5-RZGGcaAosnEALw_wcB

poppy12345

Alice_Holt said:

The main issue for you may be with cashflow. UC is paid in arrears - so there will be a delay of some 5 weeks after applying and before the first UC payment.
If you are in receipt of HB, this can run on for 2 weeks after you make the claim for UC.

There's a run on of 2 weeks for the ESA too, if the OP decides to claim UC. The payments received from the ESA will not affect their UC amount.

Looking back at other threads from OP they were in the WRAG some time ago. If that's the same now then attending appointments will depend on what their claimant commiments are.

UC is paid once per month so you need to be aware that budgeting will also be more difficult. If you're still claiming tax credits and are paid weekly then it will be more difficult to budget with UC.

Do also be aware that once you claim UC you will not be able to go back to the old legacy benefits so make sure that you're better off before claiming it.

Jonj1611

Hello, thanks for the replies, I am still in the work related group. Haven't spoke to the job centre in a very long time, my assessment when I had it ran for 3 years so was due around now but will be delayed as usual. 

Getting paid monthly is a concern, I am crap with money. I am wondering if I am worth waiting until forced over to UC

poppy12345

Your review will very likely be delayed because of the backlogs with those waiting for their first WCA.

Jonj1611 said:

Getting paid monthly is a concern, I am crap with money. I am wondering if I am worth waiting until forced over to UC

Only you can make that decision.

NedS

Jonj1611 said:

Getting paid monthly is a concern, I am crap with money. I am wondering if I am worth waiting until forced over to UC

There is the option on UC to be paid more frequently (2 split payments per month) and UC also offer budgeting support (normally organised through CAB I think) to support you with budgeting.

queenofcats

you can get paid every fortnight l just request it when you have applied. I have MH issues and I get UC every 2 weeks

Robbie64

If you are in ESA WRAG are you definitely sure you would be £36 a week better off on UC?

Alice_Holt

Robbie64 said:

If you are in ESA WRAG are you definitely sure you would be £36 a week better off on UC?

       Yes, I can't see on WRAG how the OP could be £36 better off. 

  Perhaps the OP could share his calculations, so we can conform (or not).   

calcotti

queenofcats said:

you can get paid every fortnight ..

Not every fortnight, twice a month. One payment is on the normal UC payment date (half the monthly amount due), the next is two weeks later. There is then a bit over two weeks to the next payment.

calcotti

Alice_Holt said:

 Yes, I can't see on WRAG how the OP could be £36 better off. 

I agree, I can’t see that either.