Migration from ESA to UC AGAIN

Limara

My Daughter was on income related ESA and I have now had a letter saying she is moving to new style Contribution based   ESA. Is this normal she's not worked a day in her life
She was in support group ESA and now confirmed will. Limited capability to work on UC
I have seen that UC take every penny you get from the ESA is there any advantages or disadvantages claiming both?
Lots of mixed ideas and the usual AI dribble on he net lol.
After all my previous hassles proving identity with UC. I have now had another letter saying my daughter's ESA is moving to new style ESA. And will be expected to attend an interview which I can't do. 

Robbie64

Personally I think it's worth claiming both. ESA is paid fortnightly whereas UC is paid monthly. Overall, you get the same amount of money, just split between two different benefits. She should get both though, not just new style ESA.

Although she may not have worked since leaving school, she may have been entitled to both income related ESA and contribution based ESA. The latter may have been paid under the qualifying route of Incapacity / ESA In Youth. Although this route into contributory ESA no longer exists, it was available at one time to someone who was aged under 20 (under 25 if in full time education) and who hadn't been able to work (and therefore build up a sufficient NI contributions record) due to a severe disability. It was abolished for new claims around 2012 or 2013.

rosewalk

Robbie64 said:

Personally I think it's worth claiming both. ESA is paid fortnightly whereas UC is paid monthly. Overall, you get the same amount of money, just split between two different benefits. She should get both though, not just new style ESA.

Although she may not have worked since leaving school, she may have been entitled to both income related ESA and contribution based ESA. The latter may have been paid under the qualifying route of Incapacity / ESA In Youth. Although this route into contributory ESA no longer exists, it was available at one time to someone who was aged under 20 (under 25 if in full time education) and who hadn't been able to work (and therefore build up a sufficient NI contributions record) due to a severe disability. It was abolished for new claims around 2012 or 2013.

I agree with this advice.

KxMx

The language around the interview is geared towards new claims. 
For someone migrating from CB ESA it'll be a quick telephone call, where personal details are confirmed to verify ID and you'll be asked to keep them informed of any changes, same as with UC. That's it. 

Having both can be useful as if eligibility to UC ends on capital grounds, then a new claim is made later once funds reduce, having the NS ESA (which would have remained in payment) means bypassing another medical assessment and would give automatic LCWRA element entitlement. 

Limara

Thanks all for the replies, I had seen that the CB element will stop you from getting other perks like social tarrifs and free prescriptions.

Spoonie_Turtle

Limara said:

Thanks all for the replies, I had seen that the CB element will stop you from getting other perks like social tarrifs and free prescriptions.

Understandable due to the way info is written, but no it doesn't stop you being eligible, it's just that people ONLY claiming contributions-based benefits without also claiming income-based aren't eligible.  Conts-based will not entitle someone, but income-based/means-tested benefits will.

KxMx

Your Daughter will still get help with health costs due to the UC award. 
The NS ESA has no impact on entitlement as a result of UC. 

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

Chrysalis

I would prefer to be on ESA and UC together, rather than all of it on UC if in that situation.

Most new legislation only applies to UC, things like sanctions shouldnt affect new style ESA.

I assume the financial amount of support will be the same either way, as the new style ESA will be deducted from UC.  But UC will have the full amount on there, so net amount is the same both ways, the deduction is to stop double payment, not to reduce the amount you get.

CB based ESA combined with UC, would also be treated exactly the same as a UC only claim for social support, so free prescriptions etc.