UC Migration

CosmoChic

I am attempting to help someone with UC Migration.

I've reading the useful information on here regarding the timing of application i.e. in relation to benefit uprate date, and date of ESA payment.

I have three questions, and hope someone can help!

1. If we were to begin completing the online form, but not submit it, would the application date be the date the form was started, or would it be the day submitted?  My instinct says the day it is submitted, but I'm mindful it's DWP we're dealing with!

2.  The applicant has zero savings, and would require an advance.  How much is the advance likely to be?

3. Is there a section of the form to detail any current Premium payments, and how frequently does DWP 'forget' to include those in the transfer?

4.  Edited to add:  Regarding Housing Benefit, is there an option for this to be paid direct to landlord and is this straightforward to arrange?

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can offer.  

peteuk

CosmoChic said:

I am attempting to help someone with UC Migration.

I've reading the useful information on here regarding the timing of application i.e. in relation to benefit uprate date, and date of ESA payment.

I have three questions, and hope someone can help!

1. If we were to begin completing the online form, but not submit it, would the application date be the date the form was started, or would it be the day submitted?  My instinct says the day it is submitted, but I'm mindful it's DWP we're dealing with!

2.  The applicant has zero savings, and would require an advance.  How much is the advance likely to be?

3. Is there a section of the form to detail any current Premium payments, and how frequently does DWP 'forget' to include those in the transfer?

4.  Edited to add:  Regarding Housing Benefit, is there an option for this to be paid direct to landlord and is this straightforward to arrange?

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can offer.  

1.  The assessment period starts the day of the submission of the application, or the following day.  It will then run until the the previous date in the next month  eg submit today 06 Apr - assessment period will be 06 Apr - 05 May.   Payment will then be 5-7 days afterwards. 

2. An advance can be upto 100% of the estimated Universal Credit payment.  Dont forget depending on the type of ESA claimed there will be a two week run off, so they will get a final payment two weeks after their payment prior to claiming UC. 

3. Im unsure...Im sure someone with more knowledge will answer this. 

4. Yes, the first payment will be to the claimant but you can ask for the housing element to be paid to the landlord. 

KxMx

3) The answer is no. ESA confirm the award with UC. If anything is amiss on the first payment statement you would flag this for UC to correct. Mistakes do happen. UC rely on different bits of information coming in from different sources. So occasionally all the work hasn't been collated in time for the first payment. 

4) After submitting the form you have access to the online account called the Journal. You would write a Journal note asking for rent to be paid directly to LL.
In Scotland this only starts after your first UC payment. 
In England it can be started at any time. 

HillStreetBlues

What happens to with the 2 week run on with HB if paid direct to LL?  if that run on is paid to them,  better wait until after 1st AP to change to direct to LL

CosmoChic

@peteuk @KxMx @HillStreetBlues

Thank you all so much.  I feel a bit more confident in doing this now! 

TimeLord1

Don't forget to add a note that they're migrating from ESA and the group that they're in etc Support Group or  limited Capability for work. (LCW ) or (LCWRA) it helps. 

Chucksmum

TimeLord1 said:

Don't forget to add a note that they're migrating from ESA and the group that they're in etc Support Group or  limited Capability for work. (LCW ) or (LCWRA) it helps. 

May I ask why this helps, I'm totally lost in this UC business?

TimeLord1

It helps to prevent any misunderstanding for whoever is reading it and you cover your back against any requests if they think it's a new claims.