Universal Credit Claim

Dan27

If I was to apply for Universal Credit but am currently in receipt of ESA Support Group. Would I automatically have my claim carried over and there by get the amount for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity?

Spoonie_Turtle

Yes, but you may have to explicitly say at the start that you are in the Support Group and thus are entitled to the LCWRA element, and you may have to remind them, chase it up by phone, just to make sure.

sarahlply

Only thing I would add is also check where you stand with both re your pension contributions, something I saw said UC don’t pay them but ESA do, would definitely check where you stand before proceeding. I only had one assessment across both benefits but there’s an off set for my new style ESA which is decided from UC each month.

Muttleythefrog

sarahlply said:

Only thing I would add is also check where you stand with both re your pension contributions, something I saw said UC don’t pay them but ESA do, would definitely check where you stand before proceeding. I only had one assessment across both benefits but there’s an off set for my new style ESA which is decided from UC each month.

There is a problem with the NI credits being credited for many claimants but the government has just this week said they expect the system to be corrected in 2023/4 - ultimately it'll get fixed and only would worry if close to retirement.

As above follow the Spoonie advice... the group status for ESA should carry over and you'd get the LCWRA component of U/C included (£390.06 per month after the April uprating) in award. Having the LCWRA means you will have no work/work related conditions imposed on you just like for ESA.

Also be aware that like the above poster you could have an underlying entitlement to contribution based ESA  (depends on your contributions record in couple years prior to claim) and it may be worth keeping that if entitled but it would be deducted from the U/C paid.

Newcad

Do you also have PIP/DLA and the Severe Disability Premium in ESA?

IF the answer is yes then check very carefully before moving to UC.
In those circumstances you could lose out if you move yourself to UC, you lose the Enhanced Disability Payment (know as the Disability Income Guarantee on DWP letters) so it needs to be carefully checked.
(Although it is now expected following court rulings that you would eventually be partially compensated for that loss of EDP it isn't certain if/when that will happen).

If you get a letter saying that you have to migrate to UC then your current benefits will be compensated for so that you don't get less.
(Unless you also have Tax Credits as well as ESA then you won't get such a letter for a number of years yet).

PS. I moved myself from ESA WRAG to UC just over a year ago, (no SDP but I get the LCW paid because I first claimed before 2017), it all went smoothly and everything was carried across just as it should be.

KxMx

I moved last year from ESA SG to UC.
Immediately after submitting my UC claim I did a journal note stating that I get ESA. 
My initial ID appointment landed me with a Work Coach who wasn't familiar those changing over to UC.
Give her credit though she listened to what I said and consulted her colleague, who endorsed what I had stated.
She turned off what she could in terms of work activity requirements, but couldn't avoid booking another appointment for me to attend again. 
In the end though my ESA status went through and that appointment was cancelled.