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Move to UC from ESA/SDP
- Gracie89
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3 months 1 week ago #293988 by Gracie89
Move to UC from ESA/SDP was created by Gracie89
I have received a letter that says I have to apply to move to UC and my current benefits will stop (which are ESA, child tax credits, housing benefit), I also receive PIP and the SDP with ESA.
I'm really worried about this and have some questions I'm hoping someone can help me with please.
Main one, will I be worse off?
Will ESA/SDP be reduced? I read that I can get transitional protection for the SDP, but I'm struggling to understand the information on this on the government website. Can anyone help explain it and how much I would get? How long does it get paid for?
Will this change affect or be affected by my PIP award?
What happens about child tax credits and housing benefit?
And lastly but importantly, do I just have to switch over or is it a full on application process with lengthy forms and medical assessments? I don't think I can take that again so soon after the last.
Really worried as I've only just plucked up the courage to apply for PIP and recently been awarded that and the SDP, which has meant for the first time I don't have to worry quite so much about money, which has been such a help.
Thanks in advance.
I'm really worried about this and have some questions I'm hoping someone can help me with please.
Main one, will I be worse off?
Will ESA/SDP be reduced? I read that I can get transitional protection for the SDP, but I'm struggling to understand the information on this on the government website. Can anyone help explain it and how much I would get? How long does it get paid for?
Will this change affect or be affected by my PIP award?
What happens about child tax credits and housing benefit?
And lastly but importantly, do I just have to switch over or is it a full on application process with lengthy forms and medical assessments? I don't think I can take that again so soon after the last.
Really worried as I've only just plucked up the courage to apply for PIP and recently been awarded that and the SDP, which has meant for the first time I don't have to worry quite so much about money, which has been such a help.
Thanks in advance.
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- David
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3 months 1 week ago - 3 months 1 week ago #293993 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic Move to UC from ESA/SDP
Hi Gracie89,
To answer your first question you will not be worse of as long as you apply for Universal Credit before the deadline.
This is because you will get Transitional Protection meaning that if your Universal Credit payments are calculated to be less than the present payment then they are increased to the current level.
The deadline will be in the letter describing the Managed Migration to Universal Credit which is what is happening.
The Transitional Protection payment doesn't get the annual DWP uprating so in the long run it will erode with inflation.
Child Tax Credits, ESA and Housing Benefit are going to be stopped eventually for everyone and for you it will happen with your Managed Migration.
The calculation of the the exact amount your future Universal Credit is complicated and you would need to get help from a local Welfare Advice organisation.
In my area ( South West England ) the Migration letter gives details of the Citizens Advice Help to Claim phone number. They assist with the UC migration.
Please let me know if you would like more information regarding Help to Claim or Transitional Protection.
David
To answer your first question you will not be worse of as long as you apply for Universal Credit before the deadline.
This is because you will get Transitional Protection meaning that if your Universal Credit payments are calculated to be less than the present payment then they are increased to the current level.
The deadline will be in the letter describing the Managed Migration to Universal Credit which is what is happening.
The Transitional Protection payment doesn't get the annual DWP uprating so in the long run it will erode with inflation.
Child Tax Credits, ESA and Housing Benefit are going to be stopped eventually for everyone and for you it will happen with your Managed Migration.
The calculation of the the exact amount your future Universal Credit is complicated and you would need to get help from a local Welfare Advice organisation.
In my area ( South West England ) the Migration letter gives details of the Citizens Advice Help to Claim phone number. They assist with the UC migration.
Please let me know if you would like more information regarding Help to Claim or Transitional Protection.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 3 months 1 week ago by David.
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- Gracie89
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3 months 1 week ago #294096 by Gracie89
Replied by Gracie89 on topic Move to UC from ESA/SDP
Hi,
Thanks for your advice. I do have some further questions if that's OK.
It gives the deadline of start of November and says citizens advice can help me, i will contact them in due course just not up to it at the moment as find that quite lengthy process.
In the meantime, so the transitional protection, am I right in thinking that will be paid until the universal credit is increased to match what I currently recieve through ESA/SDP, so there won't be a time that I will be worse off with that one?
Also could the housing benefit and child tax credits award through UC be less than I'm getting now?
I'm worried because I've read some people will be worse off on UC.
Also it says in the letter the tax credits will stop the day you claim UC, and other benefits will stop 2 weeks after, and it will take 5 weeks for the first UC payment. So that must mean between the current benefits stopping and the first UC payment you don't have anything? And does the UC get backdated to cover that gap?
Apologies for all the questions! Thanks in advance.
Thanks for your advice. I do have some further questions if that's OK.
It gives the deadline of start of November and says citizens advice can help me, i will contact them in due course just not up to it at the moment as find that quite lengthy process.
In the meantime, so the transitional protection, am I right in thinking that will be paid until the universal credit is increased to match what I currently recieve through ESA/SDP, so there won't be a time that I will be worse off with that one?
Also could the housing benefit and child tax credits award through UC be less than I'm getting now?
I'm worried because I've read some people will be worse off on UC.
Also it says in the letter the tax credits will stop the day you claim UC, and other benefits will stop 2 weeks after, and it will take 5 weeks for the first UC payment. So that must mean between the current benefits stopping and the first UC payment you don't have anything? And does the UC get backdated to cover that gap?
Apologies for all the questions! Thanks in advance.
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- David
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3 months 1 week ago #294097 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic Move to UC from ESA/SDP
Hi Gracie89,
To answer your first question, yes you are right. You will be paid what you currently receive in ESA with SDP and that will continue until your UC matches it. There are though some exceptional circumstances such as living with a new partner but you can read about those in the link from the charity Turn2Us.
www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/informati...ional-protection-end
Child Tax Credits and Housing Benefit will no longer exist for you. You will receive the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit for your rent and the Child element of UC for children and yes it is possible for the payments to differ. You could use a Benefits calculator such as Entltledto.co.uk to preview this or phone the Help to Claim number in the letter for advice.
Yes, the UC will be backdated and there is a 5 week wait. But you can apply for an advance of Universal Credit. Again Help to Claim could inform you about UC advances. Remember you will get a 2 run on of Housing Benefit, so you should be better off over the 5 weeks.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
David
To answer your first question, yes you are right. You will be paid what you currently receive in ESA with SDP and that will continue until your UC matches it. There are though some exceptional circumstances such as living with a new partner but you can read about those in the link from the charity Turn2Us.
www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/informati...ional-protection-end
Child Tax Credits and Housing Benefit will no longer exist for you. You will receive the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit for your rent and the Child element of UC for children and yes it is possible for the payments to differ. You could use a Benefits calculator such as Entltledto.co.uk to preview this or phone the Help to Claim number in the letter for advice.
Yes, the UC will be backdated and there is a 5 week wait. But you can apply for an advance of Universal Credit. Again Help to Claim could inform you about UC advances. Remember you will get a 2 run on of Housing Benefit, so you should be better off over the 5 weeks.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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