What happens when I move to UC?

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: ESA and getting married..

Snoopy1515_

Hi I'm on esa income related. support group want to no when I move to the new system and get married would I loose my esa please greatful for info

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/875403#Comment_875403

This is a thread from 2021 that you commented on. As you're claiming Income Related ESA when you do migrate to Universal Credit your IR ESA will stop after 2 weeks.

Getting married will not affect any benefits you maybe claiming at that time. Living with a partner will affect means tested benefits, as entitlement to those will be based on your joint circumstances.

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @Snoopy1515_, welcome to the community 😀 As Poppy mentions, getting married can affect means-tested benefits. When you transfer to Universal Credit your income-related ESA will stop after 2 weeks as Poppy says.

You can read more about migration to Universal Credit here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/moving-to-universal-credit-from-other-benefits/

poppy123456

@Jimm_Scope i didn’t say getting married will affect benefits. I said the opposite. Living together will affect means tested benefits.

Jimm_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/875731#Comment_875731

I probably should have been clearer sorry (and also re-read your comment, this is becoming common for me I should really double check myself)! I was referring to the small possibility that getting married affects your net-income because you could possibly be eligible for the Married Tax Allowance. It shouldn't affect you unless that applies I believe? I misread what you posted and assumed you meant that as that is what came to mind for me!

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/875758#Comment_875758

The question was about ESA and not about marriage allowance. I'm no expert on tax so won't comment about that.