ESA to UC migration info

Newcad

That the higher TA's from back then have not fully eroded yet is mainly because of the multiple years benefits freeze of 10 years ago.

Standard ESA rates were not increasing so there was no subsequent erosion of the TA for those years.

(I first came across those TA's when doing backpayment calculations for that IB+IS to ESA cockup LEAP excercise, I'm sure that you will rember it, a TA would throw an extra variable into those calculations).

As you note some of those still ongoing TA's will now be migrated to UC and IIRC there is provision in the managed migration legislation to make sure that any remaining TA from that migration is included in the calculation of a UC TE in this migration.

TimeLord1

UC has been around about 12 years now so I wonder how long it will be before a new system replaces the current one.  I think a lot of improvements will probably be Security and ID but developing that won't be cheap but as timescales go UC platform will be replaced not to far off. Saying that the Christmas bonus will probably be history soon 

Newcad

It's being replaced piecemeal as it goes along. (Oops sorry- it's being updated/improved in a flexible manner)

I believe there was a recent change to how savings/capital is reported monthly, so that it can now recognise many benefit backpayments, the CoL payments, etc. and will automatically disregard them.

Just wait,  AI has already started to stick it's nose into UC decision making for some things.

TimeLord1

Yes it would seem that the AI system will be gathering large amounts of data on people and then determining someone's life choices. Still errors cost money right 👍 

FannyAdamski

Hello & Happy New Year to everyone,

@TimeLord1 @Newcad @Robbie64

Having submitted my UC claim on 28 Dec, today I had a 'standard identity appointment' at the local Jobcentre. After my ID was checked I was asked if I will be able to work, which made me start inwardly panicking a bit because I've been in the ESA Support Group for years. I replied 'no' but felt bad somehow, and very embarrassed, for saying it.

I was then told that I'll get a monthly UC entitlement of £393.45, with first payment on 3 Feb, plus whatever ESA I continue to get. The staff member pointed at my last ESA annual uprating letter on the desk and said that the ESA I'll continue getting was '£150- something'. That would be £159.05 - my entire (weekly) ESA amount. She added that my total monthly income would be 'around £500'.

By this time I was sobbing with anxiety and the staff called my 73 year-old father, who was in the nearby waiting area, over to the desk and wrote the payment info on a Post-It note.

The staff member who dealt with me was decent and polite (and reassuring when I got upset), as were the other Jobcentre staff that I witnessed, and I wanted to say that because they get such a bad rap these days, but I remain quite confused and anxious about this whole ESA to UC 'managed migration' process.

Any thoughts?

FA

poppy12345

Your UC will include standard element £393.45/month plus LCWRA element £416.19/month, as well as help with the rent, if you claim this. 

If part of your ESA was contributions based this will continue as normal and your fortnightly payment will be £276.40. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement at a rate of £598.86/month and then UC will top up your income. Therefore you would receive ESA fortnightly and UC monthly. 

If all of your ESA was IR then it will stop completely after 2 weeks and all your money will be through UC once a month. 

As your ESA didn't include the SDP then LCWRA with UC will pay more than what your ESA did. 

TimeLord1

To the question on work, if your doctor or specialist has stated you're unfit to maintain employment then all you say' is I'm unable to do so because of medical reasons don't be ashamed not your fault you became unwell. Happy new year to you. 

peterlore

poppy12345 said:

Your UC will include standard element £393.45/month plus LCWRA element £416.19/month, as well as help with the rent, if you claim this. 

If part of your ESA was contributions based this will continue as normal and your fortnightly payment will be £276.40. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement at a rate of £598.86/month and then UC will top up your income. Therefore you would receive ESA fortnightly and UC monthly. 

If all of your ESA was IR then it will stop completely after 2 weeks and all your money will be through UC once a month. 

As your ESA didn't include the SDP then LCWRA with UC will pay more than what your ESA did. 

Hold on - that worries me a little because that means my monthly payments would be reduced by around £100, no?

My current ESA is £962.40 (bi weekly payments of £481.10), that rate would essentially be £152 less than my current benefits.

KxMx

peterlore said:

poppy12345 said:

Your UC will include standard element £393.45/month plus LCWRA element £416.19/month, as well as help with the rent, if you claim this. 

If part of your ESA was contributions based this will continue as normal and your fortnightly payment will be £276.40. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement at a rate of £598.86/month and then UC will top up your income. Therefore you would receive ESA fortnightly and UC monthly. 

If all of your ESA was IR then it will stop completely after 2 weeks and all your money will be through UC once a month. 

As your ESA didn't include the SDP then LCWRA with UC will pay more than what your ESA did. 

Hold on - that worries me a little because that means my monthly payments would be reduced by around £100, no?

My current ESA is £962.40 (bi weekly payments of £481.10), that rate would essentially be £152 less than my current benefits.

Poppy was replying to a poster that doesn't get SDP under ESA.

From your figures you do, so what will happen is as your UC entitlement is lower than legacy benefits, you will have another element on your claim called Transitional Protection. 

TP is designed so at the time of transfer, you are not worse off financially.

TP does reduce over time as annual rises take effect, or you become entitled to other elements. 

You can see a good example of how TP works here:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/when-will-my-universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection-end

Eventually (and how long this takes varies from person to person), two people formerly on ESA one who wasn't getting SDP & one who was, will be on the same money. 

peterlore

KxMx said:

peterlore said:

poppy12345 said:

Your UC will include standard element £393.45/month plus LCWRA element £416.19/month, as well as help with the rent, if you claim this. 

If part of your ESA was contributions based this will continue as normal and your fortnightly payment will be £276.40. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement at a rate of £598.86/month and then UC will top up your income. Therefore you would receive ESA fortnightly and UC monthly. 

If all of your ESA was IR then it will stop completely after 2 weeks and all your money will be through UC once a month. 

As your ESA didn't include the SDP then LCWRA with UC will pay more than what your ESA did. 

Hold on - that worries me a little because that means my monthly payments would be reduced by around £100, no?

My current ESA is £962.40 (bi weekly payments of £481.10), that rate would essentially be £152 less than my current benefits.

Poppy was replying to a poster that doesn't get SDP under ESA.

From your figures you do, so what will happen is as your UC entitlement is lower than legacy benefits, you will have another element on your claim called Transitional Protection. 

TP is designed so at the time of transfer, you are not worse off financially.

TP does reduce over time as annual rises take effect, or you become entitled to other elements. 

You can see a good example of how TP works here:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/when-will-my-universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection-end

Eventually (and how long this takes varies from person to person), two people formerly on ESA one who wasn't getting SDP & one who was, will be on the same money. 

thank you for answering, that's reassuring. Very confusing because it's new, but reassuring. lol