Contribution based ESA (Support Group) with Housing Benefit - Universal Credit?

Chris_Dee

Hi everyone, I've been on CB based ESA (Support Group) and claimed housing benefit for a rented property since the early days of ESA. These are the only benefits I have claimed/received since an accident left me unable to work. I have read conflicting information on if I will placed on the 'managed migration' track to Universal Credit. I'm hoping someone here can give me an answer?

Many thanks,

Chris.

poppy123456

CB based ESA is not part of UC but of course HB is so you will be moved across at some point as part of Managed migration. 

Chris_Dee

poppy123456 said:

CB based ESA is not part of UC but of course HB is so you will be moved across at some point as part of Managed migration. 

Many thanks for your response Poppy. Sorry for the late reply.

I've been looking at moving property since my current landlord bumped the rent up by 32%, but I've been restricting the area to my current borough to avoid triggering a UC assessment. Being as I will be put on Managed migration at some point do you think there is any benefit to re-housing outside my borough and triggering the UC swap now, or should I avoid it until its forced upon me? Many thanks once again.

Chris.

poppy123456

Some people are actually better off financially by claiming UC. If you are then when you do migrate across you will not be entitled to any Transitional Protection anyway. 

If your ESA doesn’t include the Severe Disability Premium then LCWRA for UC pays more than ESA Support Group,

If your ESA includes the SDP then you will be worse off if you claim UC. You will be entitled to SDP Transitional Protection but you will still be worse off. 

Chris_Dee

Thanks again for answering my questions Poppy, and thank you for the time and effort you are giving to those like me who request advice.

Chris.

ashy24

Hello everyone, I have been on CB esa ( support group) and also housing benefit . I don't have the sdp element in my esa . I do however receive 2 occupational pensions. I have 2 questions 1) will I be migrated to uc before Ireach state pension age I am currently 65 . And 2) would I be better or worse off. Thank you

ashy24

Sorry forget to add, I do recieve PIP both elements I am not sure this will be of any relevance

Thanks once again.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/910073#Comment_910073

Potentially yes because you're claiming Housing benefit. However, it won't be possible for anyone to predict when you'll receive the migration letter.

Your CB ESA will continue as normal but be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. Your Pensions will also be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

ashy24

Thank you for answering my questions , but I would wonder if you could confirm whether because I am in the support group of cb esa would I automatically be entitled to LCWRA and would I still be eligible for a housing element in any uc payment Thanks poppy

Kimmy87

Yes to both questions.

ashy24

Hiya kimmy87, thanks for your answer , but although I thought that might be the case I am non the less still a bit concerned. I have input all my financial details into a benefit calculator and it says I won't be entitled to any uc because my occupational pensions which although I don't want to give precise details of my pensions they do come to just over 1 thousand a month. So I thought that if I was to be swapped over to uc I would be at least entitled to transititional payments so as not to be worse off. Any help with this would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks

poppy123456

Transitional Protection element should make sure you're not worse off when you migrate across. However, it has been known to happen often where they do not calculate the TP in time for your first payment. If this happens it should be calculated within a couple of weeks and you'll receive what is owed.

Once the TP ends then you maybe worse off. Don't forget also that your CB ESA will revert to New style and will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.