Moving from ESA to UC. Has anyone any first hand experience moving? Is it worth it. £100 p/m more

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello sorry for the long post.

I have been thinking about moving to universal credit from income related ESA in the support group at the moment.

I'm looking if possible for anyone who has experience/ moved themselves. 

I have done 3 different calculators and had it verified by help to claim that I will be about £100 per month better off on UC which I was surprised about. 

I have very bad anxiety issues/ depression atm and after hearing stories as well that UC has caused problems for some people I'm unsure about moving. 

I am still considering it but it did not instil me with confidence when I phoned DWP anonymously and checked if information from CAB/ help to claim was correct. 
DWP told me I needed a medical assessment, even though help to claim said I should be put in the LCW or LCWRA group due to being in the support group on ESA.
They said no we assess for both manual labor and desk jobs (AFAIK so do ESA) 

I asked if that meant CAB was wrong and he said assessment is mandatory. 
I said isn't it their job to know this and he replied they were outdated and it has been this way for 6/7 years. Apparently also there are 3 tiers of UC and up to £1000 a month I highly doubt.

Who is correct about an assessment?

I was also told (maybe wrongly) I would get transitional protection but read it only applies to managed migration cases not voluntary. 

I fear waiting longer than 5 weeks for payment and some have said they are more pushy to get you back in work and one person I know was sanctioned for a YEAR. They meant a week and apologised with a cheque. 

As far as my understanding they almost intimated I would be on standard allowance until an assessment is completed or LCW/ LCWRA has been established.

So I am really torn about it. ESA (touch wood) don't bother me at all whereas I believe UC requires more management. 

If anybody had any experience changing over please could you share if it was good or a mistake as once you leave legacy you can't go back. 

Are they uncaring/ forceful towards work and will I be on a standard allowance for a while?

I want to know what to expect so I can decide whether to hang on and just be grateful for what I've got.

Thanks in advance

Spoonie_Turtle

As you are in the support group your status should be transferred across and you would be eligible for the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.  Because of this you should not need a new medical assessment (although they can decide to reassess you at any time, just like they can for ESA).

Realistically you may need to provide a fit note as there can be a short delay in them recognising your LCWRA status from ESA. 

People with LCWRA are left alone.  You would likely need to attend an ID verification appointment, but nothing further.

Transitional protection is for people whose legacy benefits are higher than UC, so wouldn't apply to you anyway.

KxMx

Yes I moved from ESA SG to UC a few months ago. 

I had one appointment at the Job Centre in person to accept my claimant commitments.
My advisor was clueless about how ESA to UC worked and started talking about Fit Notes, job searching etc.
Luckily she listened to me and asked a colleague who set her straight.
She had to make another appointment as "the system makes me" but my ESA status came through and I didn't have to attend that one. 

Other than that it was a very smooth process. 

I had a change in circumstances 6 weeks after claiming UC, I was very glad that the UC was already in place and I didn't have the stress of a new benefits claim on top of my CoC to deal with. 

calcotti

KxMx said:

My advisor was clueless about how ESA to UC worked and started talking about Fit Notes, job searching etc.
Luckily she listened to me and asked a colleague who set her straight.

The level of training is shocking.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thank you so much to all who replied.

I think another fear is the staff who may not have a clue due to inadequate training.
Also, possibly triggering an assessment as I haven't had one at least since Covid began. I'm still shocked at the difference of £100ish.

I am pleased to hear it was straightforward for you KxMx and glad it should go straight to LCWRA. If I go through with it I will try and have a backup fit note just in case and hope they listen even if they should have training. 

I received cost of living payment and am wondering if I did change would I still qualify for payment 2 given the qualifying dates for that one have yet to be released? 

I am also awaiting news with regards to my PIP claim I started in March that only got sent back in May due to my anxiety. I did 2 forms, many people helped and my mum ended up having to post it back in the end. 

I'm less confident about the PIP really even though a few people have said they think I would get it, as I went to see a psychiatrist during one of my "better" days so feel it isn't reflective of my true mind state most days. 

I saw his report and there are inaccuracies. 
If it was a bad day I wouldn't have been there, and hardly got a word in.
I was discharged too. My MH nurse wasn't happy about that and is referring me back. 

I'm unsure whether to wait for the PIP decision first but heard that might be a nightmare. Hopefully I have enough evidence though even though I provided my own. 

Thanks everyone for your help

nannytone_2

If you are awarded PIP daily living  and live alone, you would qualify for the severe disability premium of around £70 a week.
You need to consider if you want to forgo thr £100 a month, while waiting for the PIP devision, for the possibility of an extra £280 a month if awarded

powerspowers

One thing that sometimes catches people out is if you’ve got any old debt or overpayments, it will be deducted from your UC so you may not be better off. Especially likely if you’ve claimed tax credits in the past. 

poppy12345

nannytone_2 said:

If you are awarded PIP daily living  and live alone, you would qualify for the severe disability premium of around £70 a week.
You need to consider if you want to forgo thr £100 a month, while waiting for the PIP devision, for the possibility of an extra £280 a month if awarded

Nanny makes a very good point here. Do you currently live alone?

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thanks for the replies again.

I am living with my mum and brother in mum's house. So living with parents. 
I remember reading something about Severe Disability Premium a while ago.

I assume I would not qualify for SDP in my case then based on the above comments. I did read briefly it was based on non dependants so as I am not the only adult I assume it disqualifies me/ is complicated? 

I have no old debt (I'm aware of) and I don't think I have any over payments as far as I'm aware. 
Is there any way to check? I'm on the correct amount atm according to the calculators. 
I don't think I have ever claimed tax credits so I am hoping to be OK on that front. Touch wood. 

I do remember doing the calculators (without SDP) and it seemed UC plus PIP is higher than PIP + ESA. My circumstances hopefully won't change. Touch wood. 
I am glad I asked about this on here.

Thanks to all who responded regarding SDP and the cases where one may be potentially worse off. I imagine these catch some unaware unfortunately. 

calcotti

You are correct, unless your mum and brother also receive disability benefits you would not qualify for SDP.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thank you for confirming this.

So in my case it should be better for me to move over to UC as soon as I can unless I have to wait for the second cost of living payment date to be announced.

I am still interested to hear if anyone else had any issues switching over.

Thanks I appreciate the responses everyone has given me.