Universal Credit messages

TimeLord1

I'm fully aware of that legislation but for yourself if you're currently waiting on an outcome then because it's submitted prior to April 2026 and not after when the new amounts officially are brought in you would be classed as claiming prior to new legislation coming in.

I think until they make it clear and the laws applied like transitional protection for non PIP claims and freezes on future increases. Nobody knows we can only speculate avoiding policy.

Qué sera Sera whatever will be.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871814#Comment_81871814

I am yes, but if I get placed in the SG (big IF!), I then have to decide the best strategy. As you allude to, as by pure coincidence my claim started August 2025, so I can possibly claim UC after being put in the SG as an existing claimant. I can still do this after April but it will be the much reduced LCWRA with no further uplifts.

For me it's not just the extra LCWRA element. I don't wish to be forced to apply for PIP at this time, but there is a possibility of those in the SG not automatically getting LCWRA if NS ESA ceases to exist, as UC is means tested. So what happens to people in the SG with over £16K capital if the SG is made obsolete? These are questions I'm asking myself, nobody has the answer so it is a probability judgement.

The only relevancy of that is that is why I have read the entire paper, in case it influences that decision (if that choice is presented to me). I think however it's clear that they believe that more people placed in either SG or LCWRA could return to work with more support. So that is the direction of travel, regardless of specific legislation. There is a huge party political element of what the current government could push through into legislation, even if they wanted to. But of course not for debating on this forum.

TimeLord1

Until it becomes a white paper that is passed and has no legal appeals, cue the queue; only then can it be set in stone.

I can't say if you will be awarded the support group. I'm unaware of your circumstances, but if you have previously posted, I will have a read.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871910#Comment_81871910

Sorry I don't mean to hijack the thread, I only referenced my own situation as it's the only reason why I digested the whole paper!

I've not shared my diagnosis or anything of that nature. The uncertainly surrounds my stoozing, as I have a fairly substantial amount of capital, but a lot of CC liability at 0%. So my current capital is not my true position. As it happens, the stoozing capital is yielding approximately the same as the difference between the old and new LCWRA rate (the new rate being virtually the same as the support group addition). So if I am put in the support group, the choice of whether or not to close down my stoozing and apply for UC depends on the (largely unknown) future. At this time, the difference between the two is immaterial as far as income goes.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871934#Comment_81871934

I have been reading several threads back to June at the end of the day it is your choice to correspond however you choose. I have left a reply on your post from December.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871757#Comment_81871757

That would be telling. 🤫

Newcad

"This is because I may well have a choice between Support Group and LCWRA,"

Just to note here that although we know what you mean in this context an ESA award is and always has been either 'LCW' or 'LCWRA'.

Nowhere in rhe ESA legislation(s) of 2008 or 2013 are the words "Support Group" or "Work Related Activities Group" used.

Those are terms that were made up by the DWP to try and simplify/explain what LCW and LCWRA mean. (Or what the DWP thought they should mean).

With UC they just dropped the made-up names and started using the same terms that the legislation uses.

TimeLord1

Hello @Newcad, have you hit the birthday yet. 🤔 I

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872440#Comment_81872440

Without looking into it, it's curious I suppose how/why the additional amounts for LCWRA under the two regimes are so different, when the LCW elements are virtually the same. Due to the significant above inflation increases scheduled in for the basic element of UC, those amounts will diverge over the next few years too. I appreciate that UC is means tested, but I'm assuming LCW under NS ESA has tracked the basic UC award, unless that's just a coincidence that they are more or less the same value.

And now of course, the LCWRA under UC will also be more or less the same as the additional element within NS ESA for new awards starting in the next tax year.

To be honest if it does fall within my gift to remain on NS ESA or switch to UC (if awarded LCWRA), I am currently tilting towards UC due to the scheduled uplifts in the UC basic award. As I would also qualify for other support, especially CT. Having access to less than £6K at any time would be quite challenging, psychologically.

Newcad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81872560#Comment_81872560

Not yet, 19 days to go to SPA.

Actually I'm in hospital atm, I've got a slight GI bleed following coronary stenting last month.

I feel OK but there is continuing evidence of the bleed, so they want to find and stop it. I've had 2x upper GI endoscopies both clear, so later today it's the joys of a colonoscopy.

I hope to get home in the next couple of days.

(There's a form I need to sign to start my private pension payments, and I would like the first payment this month so time is running out for that; I also need to make a new HB claim as a pensioner, once I know exactly how much that pension will pay).