Moving from ESA to UC

Goldenretrieversarelife

Hi

Ok so now im no longer working and won't be able to pay the rent ( although it's been paid up to mid may ) my mum needs to apply for UC so we can get the housing element and pay our rent , she currently gets income ESA and is in the support group. Because she's not migrating over she's applying before a migration letter I wanted to know what she needs to do in terms of a sick note I know my sister was told on another forum a few years ago that she will be entitled to the lwca component from the start of her claim but I'm unsure if she needs a sick note or not as i know she was told she will but recently I've seen people told they dont need a sick note so does she nedd one or not?

And my mum can't grip a pen or use a computer my sister is filling it in for her but when she has to sign any documents at the job centre is there another way to sign her claimant commitment if she can't grip a pen or raise her arm to table level to even sign anything?

huckster

No fit note is required if support group/LCWRA is transferred from ESA to UC. 

The UC claimant commitment would be accepted via the UC claim online or if a phone claim ( no access to online and everything done by phone) then it would be accepted by phone call to UC helpline.

Goldenretrieversarelife

huckster said:

No fit note is required if support group/LCWRA is transferred from ESA to UC. 

The UC claimant commitment would be accepted via the UC claim online or if a phone claim ( no access to online and everything done by phone) then it would be accepted by phone call to UC helpline.

Thank you very much , so even if she's not migrating with no migration letter and she's just transferring on her own accord she doesn't need a sick note just tell them in her journal that she's currently in the support group for ESA? And I know she can't prove her ID online as she doesn't have any photo ID so will need to go to the job centre but she won't need to sign anything that can be done online for the claimant commitment?

TimeLord1

The ID can be done through a telephone appointment also if she's vulnerable state the equalities act.

Personally book a Citizens Advice appointment to make certain she doesn't lose money and transitional protection migrating herself over to UC.

She does not require sick notes its the lack of migration letter that is the problem.

Goldenretrieversarelife

TimeLord1 said:

The ID can be done through a telephone appointment also if she's vulnerable state the equalities act.

Personally book a Citizens Advice appointment to make certain she doesn't lose money and transitional protection migrating herself over to UC.

She does not require sick notes its the lack of migration letter that is the problem.

I thought transitional protection  was for those who had the SDP as she's not worser off on UC  she'll actually get more and she still gets 1 more payment from ESA once she's applied. 

She would prefer telephone but we have seen someone people do that and then get asked to go in to the job centre because they couldn't ID them through phone that's why she thought it might be easier to just go in and get it done with. 

She can get to the job centre but it will cause significant pain.

TimeLord1

As your mum is in the support group, I'm unsure if she's getting the disability income guarantee also or PIP that remains outside of Universal Credit. What concerns me is if she transfers herself without notice, she loses protection for the enhancements. I will look into it because I see it as a change of circumstances. Unsure if she can request a migration letter until they send it.

TimeLord1

How far is your mum moving within the same town area? If so, then she can continue to receive the housing payment from the council. But outside of the area will be a Universal Credit claim.

KxMx

OP's mum is not moving, she needs to claim help with rent for the first time which necessitates a UC claim. 

If someone is in ESA Support Group without SDP they will be better off under UC. Therefore Transitional Protection is not applicable. 

If someone does get SDP and claims via Natural Migration (change in circumstances), then a fixed TP element applies. 

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/additional-elements-of-universal-credit-uc

TimeLord1

You will need to speak to Citizens Advice because I think even requesting a letter could be classed as voluntary. Potentially forfeiting any transitional protection.

TimeLord1

KxMx said:

OP's mum is not moving, she needs to claim help with rent for the first time which necessitates a UC claim. 

If someone is in ESA Support Group without SDP they will be better off under UC. Therefore Transitional Protection is not applicable. 

If someone does get SDP and claims via Natural Migration (change in circumstances), then a fixed TP element applies. 

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/additional-elements-of-universal-credit-uc

I wasn't clear on if they needed to move.

Goldenretrieversarelife

Thanks @KxMx yes we're not moving house or anything she's just applying for UC to get help with rent as since I stopped working we need help with rent because I otherwise paid our full rent from my wages and rent is paid up to mid may. 

@TimeLord1 there is no transitional protection because she doesn't get SDP and she'll be better off on UC as @KxMx said.