Esa support group to UC

Ash3211
Ash3211 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited February 2023 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi Im currently recieving esa and been put on the support group. My wifes pregnant and baby is due in a few weeks.

 I Just wanted to know if I could still apply for child tax credits (first child) ? if not and i apply for uc and the child element together instead will my current esa award be honoured and will i get placed in the lcwra group on uc ?

 Sorry if something like this has been answered before but i wasn't sure if its better to apply for uc before without the child element or after the baby is born with the child element i just want to avoid reassessments as i find them extremely stressful


Comments

  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited February 2023
    You should be put in the LCWRA for UC automatically although they have asked people to provide sick notes until your files are updated usually no later than a few weeks later maximum. It depends on who your advisor is, some of them will switch off job search commitments instantly especially if you have proof of SG (a recent award letter etc). I would advise you tell them you was in the SG when you apply and when you attend ID check at Jobcentre. It's no longer possible to make a new claim for CTC unless you already receive it.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    edited February 2023
    What type of ESA are you receiving - contribution based ESA, income based ESA, a mix of contribution based and income based ESA or new style ESA?

    If any of your ESA is contribution based or new style that will continue even if you claim UC. Any income based ESA will stop two weeks after claiming UC.

    Do you receive any other benefits at the moment?
  • Ash3211
    Ash3211 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    edited February 2023
    calcotti said:
    What type of ESA are you receiving - contribution based ESA, income based ESA, a mix of contribution based and income based ESA or new style ESA?

    If any of your ESA is contribution based or new style that will continue even if you claim UC. Any income based ESA will stop two weeks after claiming UC.

    Do you receive any other benefits at the moment?
    Yes im on pip and im getting IR ESA
  • Ash3211
    Ash3211 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    JBS2022 said:
    You should be put in the LCWRA for UC automatically although they have asked people to provide sick notes until your files are updated usually no later than a few weeks later maximum. It depends on who your advisor is, some of them will switch off job search commitments instantly especially if you have proof of SG (a recent award letter etc). I would advise you tell them you was in the SG when you apply and when you attend ID check at Jobcentre. It's no longer possible to make a new claim for CTC unless you already receive it.
    Thanks for replying. So I dont need to do an assessment again as long as i show i was in the support group?

    Worried if having a new born could trigger a fresh claim when i add the child element or that doesnt matter ?
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    edited February 2023
    You don’t have to have a new assessment. Having a child doesn’t change that.

    Your UC will include standard couple allowance, LCWRA (for you), carer element for your wife (if you get Daily Living PIP and she cares for you) and the child element. If you rent you will also get housing element (which will replace Housing Benefit).

    If you rent privately the maximum amount of help you are entitled to because you will be entitled to an extra bedroom (assuming this is your first child).
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited February 2023
    Having a child will definitely move you to UC as new CTC claims are not possible, you could stay on ESA but then wouldn't get any extra money for the child, except CB(so no go there). You won't have a review because they are suspended for UC and ESA, you'll just be moved across. Like I stated it's possible you might be asked to provide a sick note until your files are transferred, it's 50-50 on whether that will happen, but it's only temporary so not a major problem.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    JBS2022 said:
    ... You won't have a review because they are suspended for UC and ESA, ..
    Regardless of whether or not reviews are suspended claiming UC when already in receipt of ESA should not result in a reassessment. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    I hope our members replies have been helpful @Ash3211 and I just wanted to say all the best to you and your wife for the upcoming birth of your baby, you'll have to let us know when they arrive :) 

    If you need a hand with anything else in the meantime, please ask!
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    calcotti said:
    JBS2022 said:
    ... You won't have a review because they are suspended for UC and ESA, ..
    Regardless of whether or not reviews are suspended claiming UC when already in receipt of ESA should not result in a reassessment. 
    I worded it incorrectly but I stated in my first comment that OP wouldn't require an assessment and would be moved to LCWRA, I said they might require a sick note temporarily but that's up to Work Coach.
  • Ash3211
    Ash3211 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Alex_Scope said:
    I hope our members replies have been helpful @Ash3211 and I just wanted to say all the best to you and your wife for the upcoming birth of your baby, you'll have to let us know when they arrive :) 

    If you need a hand with anything else in the meantime, please ask!
    Sorry been a bit busy and thank you  baby was born over a week ago... its a girl. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Aww that's lovely news, congratulations @ash3211! :) 

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