Loss of transitional protection after applying for housing element of UC

Wobblyjoe

Hi all, I hope you are well.

I got a letter to transition to UC from ESA. I applied and they split my payments between UC and New Style ESA.
I received £433.34 UC LCWRA 4 weekly and £281.10 NS ESA 2 weekly.

Unfortunately due to a family bereavement I had to find somewhere else to live. I found a private rent for £675 monthly. Signed the lease on the 31/8/25  and immediately applied for the housing element of UC. I have been awarded £450 for rent from UC.

I received a message to say my transitional protection had now ended. See below.




Is this correct? I find dealing with benefits baffling at the best of times. Do I lose my transitional protection?

I also don't understand why they are only paying £664.36 this month when my Hosing element should be £450 alone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Spoonie_Turtle

The transitional element was to make up for the fact your UC award was lower than your legacy benefit award.

Now you are claiming help for housing costs, your UC award is higher than your legacy benefit award so the transitional element is no longer applicable.

The amount they're paying you appears to be correct - £450 housing plus what's left of the standard allowance + LCWRA after deducting the ESA.

Sorry for the edits - finger slipped and it posted before I was finished.

poppy12345

Unfortunately your UC amount is correct. TP ended for you because you claimed for help with the rent. 

Wobblyjoe

Thanks Spoonie. I'm assuming I will still receive my ESA as well?

Spoonie_Turtle

Wobblyjoe said:

Thanks Spoonie. I'm assuming I will still receive my ESA as well?

Yes, no change there.

KxMx

Transitional Protection is added if your total UC award is lower than legacy benefits at the time of transfer. 
It erodes as other elements go up or new elements are added to your award.
You also get £609.05 of your monthly income from ESA, instead of receiving only UC. It still adds up to the same monetary amount.