Universal Credit and Disabilities (PIP). Absolute confusion.

SaitenMar

Hello all, I need some help. So I'm soon transitioning to Universal Credit and I'm trying to figure out how it works with disability benefits. I'm confused by the whole process to be honest. From what I can tell the switch over will result in me losing out on quite a lot of money so I wanted to ensure I budget with that in mind for the future. I'm currently on JSA and also claim PIP, and whilst I know PIP doesn't get affected by UC I know that disability premiums don't really exist with UC. 

The only thing I've been able to figure out is that there is a capability to work assessment done related to UC but I'm not to clear on that matter either. It took me nearly 9 months to claim PIP which resulted in me taking it to a tribunal where I won my claim, the whole process was stressful and an absolute nightmare where I felt I was treated like dirt. The idea of going through that again makes me feel sick. I have no confidence whatsoever in the people that do these assessments.

So as anyone already gone through this process and can give some advice on how to best figure this all out? 

sammyjammy

Do you actually mean JSA?  Are you seeking work?

tacpot12

Why do you think you will be losing money?
How much JSA do you recieve? 
Why do you mention disability premiums?
Are you in receipt of a disability premium at the moment?
Have you been told that you have any form of transitional protection?
Have you been told that your JSA will end?
 

huckster

Old style JSA includes disability premium if they are in receipt of PIP.

Under UC claim disability premium does not exist, so UC will include transitional amount

SaitenMar

Sorry for the late reply. 

I currently claim JSA, which ends in December. I do get the disability premium with JSA and I know that's not a part of UC but was told that there's a process that takes place when applying for UC which includes something called Transitional Protection and that a work capability reassessment is required too. I'm confused by a lot of this and can't really find the help I'm looking for to make sense of it. Even the governmental websites aren't always that clear and when I've asked at the job centre they don't really have any idea how it works. 

I'm looking to see if anyone as had a similar experience transitioning between the two benefits and how they function, particularly in regards to disabilities, so I can plan for the future. From what I could tell it's likely I will lose money with this transition so I want to plan ahead for bills, expenses, and other unforeseen events. 

Thanks for the replies. 

poppy12345

Once you claim UC your JSA will continue for 2 weeks, same applies for housing benefit, if you claim that. You will be entitled to Transitional Protection if your UC entitlement is less than your current benefits.

If your health condition limits your capability to work then you'll need to report that and provide a fit note within 7 days. You'll then be referred for a work capability assessment, usually from around 29 days after providing your first fit note. 

If found to have LCWRA then you'll be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim. However, if your UC includes TP this will erode with the additional LCWRA element so you may not be any better off because LCWRA is currently £416.19/month. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

SaitenMar

tacpot12 said:

Why do you think you will be losing money?
How much JSA do you recieve? 
Why do you mention disability premiums?
Are you in receipt of a disability premium at the moment?
Have you been told that you have any form of transitional protection?
Have you been told that your JSA will end?
 

1. I can't be entirely sure I will, but from what I've read about UC I feel like I will lose out of some money in regards to transitioning to UC.

2. The standard, with a disability premium because I also get PIP. 

3. Because I'm not entirely sure how they work in regards to UC. I know it doesn't exist with UC but I'm not sure if another version of similar version of support is offered with UC. I know there's a work capability test that's connected to the benefit but I'm not sure if it's the same sort of thing.

4. Yes, I receive the disability premium with JSA. 

5. I have asked a my local job centre about this but they weren't sure. In fact they didn't know a whole lot about UC and the transition to it from JSA except that I needed to do it by a certain date. It's why I'm asking on here for help from more experienced folk. 

6. It ends in December, so I want to get it done as soon as possible. 

poppy12345

SaitenMar said:

tacpot12 said:

Why do you think you will be losing money?
How much JSA do you recieve? 
Why do you mention disability premiums?
Are you in receipt of a disability premium at the moment?
Have you been told that you have any form of transitional protection?
Have you been told that your JSA will end?
 

1. I can't be entirely sure I will, but from what I've read about UC I feel like I will lose out of some money in regards to transitioning to UC.

2. The standard, with a disability premium because I also get PIP. 

3. Because I'm not entirely sure how they work in regards to UC. I know it doesn't exist with UC but I'm not sure if another version of similar version of support is offered with UC. I know there's a work capability test that's connected to the benefit but I'm not sure if it's the same sort of thing.

4. Yes, I receive the disability premium with JSA. 

5. I have asked a my local job centre about this but they weren't sure. In fact they didn't know a whole lot about UC and the transition to it from JSA except that I needed to do it by a certain date. It's why I'm asking on here for help from more experienced folk. 

6. It ends in December, so I want to get it done as soon as possible. 

See my reply above which you likely didn't see when you posted this comment. Please don't ask your local Job centre for any advice because in my opinion, it's not the place to ask for this because they are not benefits advisors. 

huckster

You may receive less from UC if you have deductions in regard to debts that are owed e.g. social fund loan debts, previous benefit overpayments.  Old style JSA was apparently not very robust in making the deductions, whereas with UC it is easier for the deductions to be taken.

If you have no such deductions, then due to transitional protection, then UC should not be less than the JSA you were receiving.

peteuk

SaitenMar said:

Hello all, I need some help. So I'm soon transitioning to Universal Credit and I'm trying to figure out how it works with disability benefits. I'm confused by the whole process to be honest. From what I can tell the switch over will result in me losing out on quite a lot of money so I wanted to ensure I budget with that in mind for the future. I'm currently on JSA and also claim PIP, and whilst I know PIP doesn't get affected by UC I know that disability premiums don't really exist with UC. 

The only thing I've been able to figure out is that there is a capability to work assessment done related to UC but I'm not to clear on that matter either. It took me nearly 9 months to claim PIP which resulted in me taking it to a tribunal where I won my claim, the whole process was stressful and an absolute nightmare where I felt I was treated like dirt. The idea of going through that again makes me feel sick. I have no confidence whatsoever in the people that do these assessments.

So as anyone already gone through this process and can give some advice on how to best figure this all out? 

PIP has nothing to do with your ability to work, you can claim it regardless of if you can or can not work.  Hence the need to undertake a second assessment for UC.   Please also bear in mind it’s the system not the assessors most of the time, that let people down. 

Spoonie_Turtle

If you are capable of working and looking for work and attending appointments without it impacting your health - which you claiming JSA would imply - then you don't have to have a Work Capability Assessment. 

It would be financially beneficial though if you were found to have LCW or LCWRA:
LCW gives you a work allowance, which reduces the deductions made from UC for earnings.  (Although if you have a dependent child on the claim then you'd get the work allowance already.)
LCWRA gives an extra element payable, currently somewhere above £400/month (as well as the work allowance).

But, it depends what your disability is as to whether you might qualify for LCW/RA.  E.g. somebody who uses a wheelchair for paralysis but has good upper body strength and range of motion, a stable bowel routine and is able to consistently manage their bladder independently, quite possibly wouldn't score enough (or anything) on the WCA.  Whereas someone with a chronic illness affecting their energy, strength and/or stamina could well qualify for LCWRA (and many of us do).

Have a look here to see if you think you might qualify - like PIP it's assessed based on being able to do things repeatedly and without causing excessive pain, fatigue, or otherwise impairing your ability to function after doing the activity as often as reasonably required.  
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/esa_criteria