The Random Thoughts Thread, moving to UC

whistles

I hate change. This is where my head is at.

I don't want to have to apply for UC, we should simply move to it. I don't want to do it online. I don't think it's a good idea that the dwp deal with the housing element.

I hate change.

The above thoughts will change when I have had chance to chew on the idea a bit more. My first response to change is no no no and no. 😁

I havent been asked to migrate yet, but I have decided to get my finances into a monthly pattern. Make things a bit easier. ESA is every two weeks currently.

Feel free to add your random thoughts and feelings, I am just going to add to this as a sort of diary as somewhere to communicate with people.

I havent ventured into reading about UC yet. All I know is to wait for the letter and I will get the transitional protection.

When I look back on this I suspect I will be applying online. I may need a lot of chocolate support but needs must.

Kimi87

Sorry, responded to wrong thread.

whistles

Just reading through the Universal Credit guide on here and it talks about being able to apply for weekly benefit payments etc.

I wonder if the every four week brings us in line with those who are working. So it's easier to move from benefits to work as you are used to the monthly budgeting?

My first pay packet was a weekly little brown envelope with cash in it. Long gone are those days.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/928813#Comment_928813

UC is a monthly benefit, not 4 weekly. You will receive your payment on the same date each month, unless payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday and then you'll receive your money on the last working day before.

You can request an Alternative Payment Arrangement. (APA) Then it will be twice a month. However, when you do this and it's all set up your first payment after that will be for half your money, you will then receive the other half between 14 and 17 days later. This will mean you'll be waiting 1 month for just half of your money. It's difficult to manage to start with due to the month wait for half your money.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements/alternative-payment-arrangements

whistles

Thank you for pointing that out. It gives me the opportunity to try and make changes while I am not stressing.

Why do I think they've done these changes to screw everyone over.

People already in the system migrating over shouldn't have to wait a month. We will because that's what they did to everyone with the move from DLA to PIP. They will also have people who won't claim at all, saving more money. That's the idea isn't it.

Sorry moaned there a bit.

Hopeless

I contacted my social housing provider yesterday for my rent reference number so I can add one-off payments to my rent account. This way I can hopefully build up enough to cover the gap between housing benefit and universal credit before I’m asked to migrate.

whistles

I had a chat with my landlord today. So that's another positive.

My letter could arrive anytime. Ideally not at Christmas like my PIP light touch did.

whistles

How is the government getting away with stopping benefits and making people go without for three weeks.

The loan has to be paid back as there is no back pay.

Hopefully being in the esa sg I will be in the uc lcw. They plan to change the assessment from 2025, so hopefully I have migrated before they alter it, as currently it's the same as esa.

I feel for anyone with MH issues because this whole process is simply stressful.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/929689#Comment_929689

When you claim UC as you're in the Support Group for ESA you'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim, not the LCW.

UC is paid 1 month in arrears so when you receive your payment it will be for the previous month. Income Related ESA and housing benefit continue for 2 weeks.

The changes you mentioned were what the previous Government announced. The current Government haven't announced anything yet but hopefully we'll hear more on budget day, which is 30th October.

whistles

It's the famous wait. 😁

whistles

I tried to subscribe to the newsletter that the benefits and work website offer but it said it was invalid.

Anyway, reading their info I came across this

'WCA made harsher

The government plans to make the WCA harsher, in advance of plans to abolish it altogether.  At the same time, they also claim that they intend never to assess current ESA support group and UC Limited capability for Work-Related Activity claimants again'

However "Information from one assessment can be used in the other, making all assessments higher stakes"

So using pip assessment for the LCWRA in UC indirectly doing the assessment.

Dave1993

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/931025#Comment_931025

wont happen

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/931025#Comment_931025

That was what the previous Government planned. Nothing has been announced for the current Government.

whistles

Where I am mentally.

I have contacted the dwp to get the benefit paid into another account. I can then close the account that the council always wants more info about when they do a review.

(on paper) I will actually be better off on UC. Those of us on IR ESA without the premiums will. We won't get the transitional protection because we won't be worse off. The only info out there is about waiting to migrate and receiving the TP. Nowhere does it suggest, apart from using the benefits calculators that some claimants don't need to be waiting and worrying.

I am not going to apply ahead of the letter as I am not ready. I am trying to decide how to best to budget.

Pip is four weekly

Uc monthly

Are there any free courses out there to help us budget monthly when some of us have never lived like that, ever. My biggest concern is my memory doesn't stretch that far ahead.