A few questions about migrating to UC from IRESA health questions
Hello. I've been reading here for a while for useful information etc but I'm hoping for some help as I've not found anything online over the past few months anywhere that can put my mind at ease.
It looks very likely now things have altered I will be migrating from July onwards not September as previously announced. It may even be sooner as DWP are trialling some ESA this month I've read but I'm not sure that's wildly known yet.
I've been reading for months various sites including here and some FB advice pages to keep on top of changes etc.
I'm really worried after reading something elsewhere which I'm hoping someone here could clarify for me as its more than got me anxious.
Do you need to provide details of illnesses or health problems when migrating on the online UC form anywhere? It's got me anxious because mine are between GP and consultant and some are so old I can't put a date when they started if asked?
Im the the SG group of IRESA and HB living in independent but in a HA property for over a specific age group and/or disabilities and I'm petrified of things going wrong. I was very very lucky to get where I live now as it's a life long tenancy.
So can anyone help? Also a question re Regulation 19 which I've known about for a while. I've had it answered from a reliable FB page but just needed the best approach here for the UC claim. Is it necessary to paste all the regulation wording or just quote the Regulation?
Thanks for any help and sorry for the long post as my anxiety isn't helping when I try to post online.
Anyway, like others, I'm terrified of even migrating over and have used Entitledto so often to work out how much I should get but it's the concern about health questions more than this.
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I've not seen anything that it will be from July rather than September. In fact, all the official websites are still saying it's 2028/29. There are no "trials" for those claiming ESA to migrate to UC. Those claiming ESA and Tax credits will receive their migration letter anytime from now.
I've yet to find a "reliable" FB for any benefits advice. In my own personal experience they are the exact opposite and often give out some of the most shocking advice I've ever seen in the several years I've been advising. The best thing anyone can do with those is to click "leave group"
When you do receive the migration letter you will have 3 months to claim. Once you submit your claim your Income Related ESA and housing benefit will continue for 2 weeks and then stop.
As you're In the Support Group you will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. You do not need to quote or paste any regulations.
One of the questions in the form is do you have any health conditions that affect you working, you answer yes. Once your claim is submitted you put a message on your journal to tell them you're in the Support Group. However, as this is managed migration and not natural migration they should already know anyway. You will not need any fit notes either.
If your ESA doesn't include the Severe disability Premium then just so that you're aware, LCWRA for UC pays more than ESA Support Group.
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Thank you. I couldn't edit my post to include the link to Rightsnet about the trial migration here. I cannot find the one about the July migration for IRESA and HB so perhaps it was wrong. But the link to trials is on Rightsnet only accessible to read for paid subscribers or advocates.
I found out about it via Gail Wards pages on FB a well known disability campaigner.
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Yes, there are some unreliable ones out there so it's why I try to cross check over multiple sources to make sure.
The DWP has not updated and even still has old info on there. I worked for them when called Benefits Agency so it's not surprising knowing from the inside what a mess things are for claimants.
SCOPE is the first group I've joined. Just been reading.
Thank you for replying.
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Right so just to clarify about the medical questions. Before I do I've not had direct interaction with anything DWP for years so even though I know about UC it's totally an unknown country.
So, just tick yes but no need to list conditions at all and then put in journal etc about SG etc.
Sorry for maybe repeating myself but I'm on my own with this like others and would rather bypass it all together but unless I do what DWP whenever that time comes I've no choice.
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Okay I've managed to track down where I read about the July thing and it seems to be how it's worded that's led me to think it is. It's the only place I've seen it.
*I am still getting used to using this website as i use my phone online so please excuse me if I repeat something by accident.
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The trials for ESA migration make no sense either because there are already people that have migrated across.
Yes, just tick you have health conditions, no need explain anything else. Are you claiming a disability benefit? does your ESA include the Severe disability Premium?
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They don't make sense to me either.
I don't get SDP as far as I'm aware I'm in the LCWRA etc though. I've checked it numerous times using the calculator and any DWP letters just say that and of course in SG.
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Just checked online as my minds racing unfortunately and its:
Enhanced disability premium
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No other disability benefit apart from ESA.
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TBH I've been too scared about knowing certain things about the change over etc so have been avoiding asking anywhere until now. I usually like to be prepared as they say but with anything benefits related things can change so quickly re when people are meant to migrate over with no clear answers on DWP.
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Oh I forgot its old style IRESA legacy benefit.
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ESA isn't a disability benefit. Disability benefits are PIP/ADP and DLA (as some still claim that)
One thing I forgot to mention last night (it was late) SDP can also be included in your ESA if you're registered blind and you must either live alone or be treated as living alone.
If you're not then you would be financially better off by claiming UC. This is because LCWRA and the standard allowance of UC pays more than ESA Support Group .(without SDP) If you are 25 or over then you would be £120/month better off.
SDP criteria here.
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Thank you for replying. I will wait for my migration letter and if I need more more advice I will ask if required. I know ESA is not a disability benefit. I am not new to benefits. If I need more advice I may come back here to ask.
Thank you.
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But I'd just like to point out I'm a genuine claimant seeking answers. Rightsnet is run by professionals who work in the legal advocacy of benefits advice who work closely with the DWP and also advise at government level. Fightback is also another resource i use which is also a good source of information.
I apologise if some of the information may be perceived as wrong however Rightsnet received the information re IrESA and HB trial BEFORE the announced September move as they received an email ftom DWP stating this and as I said was posted on FB on a page which is very reliable. I do not read unreliable sources only those with links to the horses mouth. I am sorry that Scope does not seem to have this information as Rightsnet is a very trusted website. As is Fightback who also announced the September date for migration not 2028/29 for HB and Income Related ESA.
I do not rely on anything announced on DWP or GOV as tbh they don't update their website which is clear. However, many reliable organisations not government financed have the information to hand not on those websites. I cannot comment why other organisations have not as it's not down to me.
Thak you for clarifying some of what I asked at the start anyway.
So I thank you for the useful info you gave me re medical questions.
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You are correct, Rightsnet are benefits advice professionals who have a seat at the table with the DWP. They do not spread fake news.
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I didn’t imply that Rightsnet spread fake news. I know what Rightsnet are, we used to have a member on here that’s a regular on there.
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When I changed from IR ESA to UC (natural migration) I did list my medical conditions & dates as part of the UC application.
Cannot recall the level of detail required, if it was day/month /year I would have put a random day & month + correct year.
It probably doesn't matter if you don't, as Poppy said your SG status will transfer.
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That same person is also a Welfare Rights advisor and has been for decades.
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