Natural migration ESA support group to UC — Scope | Disability forum
If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.

Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

Natural migration ESA support group to UC

Options
Jurassic123
Jurassic123 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi, my husband is in the support group and I want to go and find a job as we've just been told the landlord is selling up and all the rents around here are much more expensive than what we are paying now. I understand that this will trigger a migration to UC. Is it better to go onto UC first before starting to look for work as my husband would struggle mentally with a capability assessment again on top of the stress of finding a new home and moving. Or should I try to find a job first and apply for UC when I have found one but before actually starting work? I am very unclear about to timings of it all so any advice will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Tagged:
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,395 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    None of those are a change of circumstances that will prompt a move to UC. If you move house you'll only need to claim UC if you're currently claiming housing benefit and you're moving to a different local Authority and you need to claim for help with the rent. If you'll be living in the same local Authority then housing benefit can continue.

    If you start working and your husbands ESA is Income Related then any earnings you receive that's above £20/week will reduce his ESA £1 for £1. If you work more than 24 hours per week then Income Related ESA stops. In this case it's better to claim UC before you start work.

    If his ESA is either all contributions based or New style then you working will not affect it because it's not means tested.

    If you claim UC then you'll both need to claim. One of you will be sent a linking code to join both claims together. As he's in the Support Group then he'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of his claim.


    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jurassic123
    Jurassic123 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Options
    Thanks for a quick reply. My husband receives ESA income related and I'll probably have to work more than 24 hours to cover any increase in rent. So should we apply for UC before starting work if I find a job or before starting the process of applying for jobs? 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,395 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    You should wait and apply if you successfully find a job and then claim UC before starting work. If you wait until you start working then his ESA will end.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,395 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    Having said that, you can use a benefits calculator now to check if you'll be better off claiming UC now. Some (not everyone) are better off financially claiming UC. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jurassic123
    Jurassic123 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Options
    Thanks for clarifying that. I'll wait until I hopefully find a job as I don't think I can deal with the stress of the application process on top of everything else at the moment. Thanks for your time and help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,912 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    @Jurassic123 I'm so sorry to hear you are having a stressful time. Do you have any support around you? 

    If you are in the England or Wales and have a disability, Scope has brilliant employment services programme to help support you if needed. 
    Hannah - She / Her

    Online Community Coordinator @ Scope

    Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.
    Want to give us feedback? Complete our feedback form now.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brightness

Categories

Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.

Do you need advice on your energy costs?


Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.