Moving from Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit

WinMeSomeStuff

Hi all,

I have been caring for my partner for the past 6 years who is disabled. She claims PIP and ESA (contribution based) in the support group. I receive income support and carers allowance at the moment, and we receive child tax credits for our 3 children. I luckily have been able to get back to work and start in the new year, and Turn To Us charity have recommended we apply for universal credit once I start since its a change of circumstance and looks like we will be entitled to some UC.

I would like some advice on how I should go about applying since we are on legacy benefits at the moment. Do I just apply online and will the system recognise what we currently receive and simply transfer us over? Or would it be best ringing them to explain the situation? For example my partner is on ESA (contribution based) in the support group, with applying for UC does this mean she has to be assessed for ability to work with it being a new claim? Something she already done a while ago since it is a life long condition she has.

Also when would be the best time to apply for UC, should I attempt this on the first day of my new job in the new year? Or am I required to get the ball moving now since I know my start date, pay day etc?

Thanks for any info.

Alice_Holt

You may wish to get guidance from:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

calcotti

Did Turn2Us do a full benefits check to compare what you might get comparing staying on legacy benefits and UC? It’s really important to do this before applying. As soon as you apply for UC the Tax Credits will stop, income Support if in payment will stop after 2 weeks. You will not be able to continue with Carers Allowance if you earn more than £123/week.

As regards process, making a claim for UC will automatically end Tax Credits and IS. 

If you currently get Housing Benefit that will also be stopped, it will finish two weeks after you claim UC.

You will need to tell Carer’s Allowance to close your claim if you are no longer eligible.

When you claim UC you should declare that you are a carer. You can get the carer element of UC included even if you are not getting CA.

Your partner’s ESA will continue but she will need to declare it when she makes her UC claim. The ESA will be deducted from the UC. She should not need a new assessment and because she is in ESA Support Group is entitled to LCWRA element of UC from the start of the claim.

Your UC calculation will include a standard couple allowance, LCWRA element for your partner, carer element for you, child element for your children and, if you rent, housing element.

You can claim UC now or wait. It depends on what is financially advantageous which is why it is important to compare your entitlement. When you start work you will need to inform UC or IS depending on which one you are claiming at the moment.

HillStreetBlues

I would also check entitled to
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

WinMeSomeStuff

calcotti said:

Did Turn2Us do a full benefits check to compare what you might get comparing staying on legacy benefits and UC? It’s really important to do this before applying. As soon as you apply for UC the Tax Credits will stop, income Support if in payment will stop after 2 weeks. You will not be able to continue with Carers Allowance if you earn more than £123/week.

As regards process, making a claim for UC will automatically end Tax Credits and IS. 

If you currently get Housing Benefit that will also be stopped, it will finish two weeks after you claim UC.

You will need to tell Carer’s Allowance to close your claim if you are no longer eligible.

When you claim UC you should declare that you are a carer. You can get the carer element of UC included even if you are not getting CA.

Your partner’s ESA will continue but she will need to declare it when she makes her UC claim. The ESA will be deducted from the UC. She should not need a new assessment and because she is in ESA Support Group is entitled to LCWRA element of UC from the start of the claim.

Your UC calculation will include a standard couple allowance, LCWRA element for your partner, carer element for you, child element for your children and, if you rent, housing element.

You can claim UC now or wait. It depends on what is financially advantageous which is why it is important to compare your entitlement. When you start work you will need to inform UC or IS depending on which one you are claiming at the moment.

Thanks for all the info. Yes we did a calculation over the phone with mine and partner's details and it did come back better off on UC. I read that we both need to open a UC account, do we just both apply individually then link them? Or would we set up two accounts, link them, then go through the application for both of us together on my account?

Cheers for the info again.

calcotti

WinMeSomeStuff said: I read that we both need to open a UC account, do we just both apply individually then link them? Or would we set up two accounts, link them, then go through the application for both of us together on my account?

One of you claims first. If you go first, when you report that you have a partner you will be given a linking code. When your partner claims and says she has a partners she inputs the linking you code that was given to you and that will link the two claims.

The first person will provide the shared information. The second person will have less information to provide.

You might find some useful information here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-family-quick-guide/universal-credit-further-information-for-families

WinMeSomeStuff

calcotti said:

WinMeSomeStuff said: I read that we both need to open a UC account, do we just both apply individually then link them? Or would we set up two accounts, link them, then go through the application for both of us together on my account?

One of you claims first. If you go first, when you report that you have a partner you will be given a linking code. When your partner claims and says she has a partners she inputs the linking you code that was given to you and that will link the two claims.

The first person will provide the shared information. The second person will have less information to provide.

You might find some useful information here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-family-quick-guide/universal-credit-further-information-for-families

Brilliant thanks for your guidance. I was trying to look for simple tutorials on youtube how it all works but didn't have any luck. Will look up that link too. Much appreciated. 

calcotti

If you are concerned, do you use the Help to Claim service referenced by Alice in the first reply.

WinMeSomeStuff

Alice_Holt said:

You may wish to get guidance from:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

Cheers for this, going to ring them tomorrow. Thanks Alice.

WinMeSomeStuff

HillStreetBlues said:

I would also check entitled to
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Thanks, I have been on them all haha. Turn2us is the one ive phoned so far. Going to ring citizens advice Help To Claim service tomorrow and see what further advice I can get to be sure. Thanks again.