Should I move over to uc?

shanh1

Back story, 
For me, esa & pip long term 
i have one child 
private rent 
I get esa, pip, child benefit & housing 
in Scotland. 
I get the premium ect, should I move to uc? Would I be better off since I would get the extra 300 odd for my child? I understand I would loose the 100 odd transition protection but will this be better in the long run?

Has anyone changed over and regretted it? Unsure to leave it or not till they ask themselves . Thank you for reading 

poppy123456

Before i advise you further please may i ask if you can confirm if your ESA includes the SDP, you only mention a premium but not specifically the SDP? Do you also claim Tax Credits? and finally do you live with a partner?

Edit.. are you 25 and over? sorry but needed to ask that so that i can get the calculation correct. Also was your child born before or after 2017?

Sorry for all those questions but need to make sure i have all the correct information before i can advise you.

shanh1

I’m 29, live just me and my child
yeah spd, just have esa & child benefit no tax credits, thank you 

poppy123456

Thanks. If you’re in the Support Group your UC will include the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

As your ESA includes the SDP then you will also be entitled to the SDP transitional protection too, which is £132.12/month if you’re in the Support Group.

Your UC calculation should look something like this..

Standard allowance (25+) £364.74
LCWRA element £390.06
Child element if born before 6th April 2016 £315… if born after that £259.58
SDP TP £132.12
housing element… ? Unknown amount.

Total payable without rent if child born before April 2017 £1,201.92/month.  Or £1,146.50/month if child born after April 2017. 

Please note… you will need to add the housing element onto those figures. To do this you times the weekly amount by 52 and then divide by 12 for the monthly amount. 

I think it’s clear that you will be better off by claiming UC because it will include the child element. At the moment you’re not receiving any extra money for your child, other than child benefit. 

Your ESA weekly amount now is £225.45. Which is a monthly amount of £976.95. 

By claiming UC you will be better off by either £224.97/month or £169.55/month depending on when your child was born.