Moving to UC and really anxious

Cyclamen

The letters came last week about moving to UC from older benefits.  My husband and I both got one.  I haven't even started to get my head round Universal credit and am completely overwhelmed by it.  Lots going on in the background with my chronic illness/ disability, social care, family and 'stuff' and this feels a bit too much.

We get a mix of benefits.. myself PIP, ESA support (contributions), My husband PIP and carers allowance , together council tax benefit and income support.  

Little things to others like photo ID are a challenge.. my husband doesn't drive and we don't have passports in date.

The news and forums is full of people struggling with UC having to start again with ESA etc..

I just dont want to think about it all and put my head under the duvet and hide... 

Are we going to have to go to job centre? 
Do i have to start my ESA again - ive been on ESA almost 15 years?
Do they give you lots of time to answer things?  i am not always able to use laptop, check email etc?
When should i start.. the letter gives a few months is it best to do it now or wait?
I've been told we both need to apply rather than one application as a couple is that right?  

A huge ball of anxiety here .. can anyone share there experience or settle me down please

poppy12345

As you’re in the Support Group for ESA you’ll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. You will not need any fit notes. 

You maybe asked to attend your local job centre for your first appointment but after that you won’t need any further appointments.

Your husband needs to make sure he reports being your carer and the carers element will be included in your claim.

As a carer he will have no commitments but maybe expected to attend a first appointment at the job centre. 

Your ESA and carers allowance will continue as normal but will both ben deducted in full from any UC entitlement. 

Cyclamen

Thank you.

Will our income support continue until UC is set up.. it looks like it stops two weeks after we apply to UC but i've heard UC takes a while.

I know i need to get on with it so its not worrying me but its part of a long list of things to sort out.. 

Rubyroobs

Cyclamen said:

Thank you.

Will our income support continue until UC is set up.. it looks like it stops two weeks after we apply to UC but i've heard UC takes a while.

I know i need to get on with it so its not worrying me but its part of a long list of things to sort out.. 

You'll get a two week run on of Income support. ESA as it is contributions based and disability benefits won't stop. If you don't have enough to tide you over the remaining three weeks until your first Uc payment is paid then you will need to take an advance payment which is then paid back usually over 12 months I think. 

HillStreetBlues

Rubyroobs said:

You'll get a two week run on of Income support. ESA as it is contributions based and disability benefits won't stop. If you don't have enough to tide you over the remaining three weeks until your first Uc payment is paid then you will need to take an advance payment which is then paid back usually over 12 months I think. 

It's now 24 months for a new claim, 6 months for a CoC.

poppy12345

Your first UC payment will be 1 month and 6 days after you submit your claim. Your ESA and carers allowance will continue as normal. 

If you’re claiming housing benefit as well then this also continues for 2 weeks the same as IS. 

Cyclamen

Sorry back again.. 
So our Income support will stop two weeks from today and in one month 6 days we get 'transitional protection'.. will they backdate the lost Income Support or is that gone forever?

Spoonie_Turtle

Cyclamen said:

Sorry back again.. 
So our Income support will stop two weeks from today and in one month 6 days we get 'transitional protection'.. will they backdate the lost Income Support or is that gone forever?

What lost IS?  (Genuine question because I don't know much about it.)
The UC payment is for the whole month.  So if you submit your application today, your UC assessment period will be 19th-18th of each month. 
Your first UC payment would be for the period from today to the 18th July.  The gap between the end of the assessment period and actually receiving the payment is basically admin time, to make sure it's been calculated correctly and the time it takes between sending the payment and it going into your bank. 

Your statement will be generated on the 18th or 19th and you can check they've included everything, then let them know if not.

peteuk

Cyclamen said:

Sorry back again.. 
So our Income support will stop two weeks from today and in one month 6 days we get 'transitional protection'.. will they backdate the lost Income Support or is that gone forever?

You will not get your IS back, IS only exists for those already on it.  There is no mechanism to make a new IS claim.

They wont backdate you for lost income, because there isn’t any.  What they will pay you is UC for the month assessment period.  This starts the day you apply.  

EG apply today 19 Jun - your assessment period will be 19 Jun-18 Jul with payment being 6 days later.  As above you’ll get 2 weeks runoff for your IS.

Transition protection should apply and depending on what it is protecting depends on how it’s applied  and the duration it is applied.  A few days before your payment you will see a payment letter in your journal, this will show you the details of the up coming payment,

HillStreetBlues

Cyclamen said:

Sorry back again.. 
So our Income support will stop two weeks from today and in one month 6 days we get 'transitional protection'.. will they backdate the lost Income Support or is that gone forever?

There won't be any lost IS in fact you gain an extra 2 weeks as pointed out Rubyroobs.

Cyclamen

Thanks everyone  that makes sense about the IS.   I'd muddled it thinking we'd get the next two weeks then nothing until the UC starts then the 'transitional protection to replace the Income Support we had previously would start being paid in advance not arrears.  Which is where i'd made a msitake and got muddled. 

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I know this is silly to some but i've had a truly horrible time filling it all out .. its saying i need a work coach, how many hours i can work, qualifications, jobs i want etc etc etc over and over i typed.. my health, ESA support group ...then list all my diagnosis etc etc.. it doesnt exactly leave me feeling full of Joy, tears and all-sorts of things stirred up now.  I want a box for 'cure me' and i will start work Monday.   

I'm hoping they dont need me to go to job centre and can use my records...