Migration from ESS to UC, not gainful employed but unable to work.

Charlongo

I’m so worried about all this, please can someone advise me? I’m on Income related ESA and I can’t work. I have an online Etsy store which I sell on but not much. And yes I have registered with HMRC!

I am not gainfully employed because it’s not my main source of income. - benefits are and I don’t get regularly work. Is that correct?

For the interview I have next week it asks me to take the following

• invoices
• receipts
• bank statements
• tax returns
• records of customers, suppliers or contracts

Well I don’t have most of that info, only what I can’t get of Etsy. What do I do and do I just print out any info I have?
Also are they going to force me to work? I haven’t worked as I am unable to for 7 years so I’m worried they will try to.

Thanks.

Morgan_Scope

Hello @Charlongo. Sorry we've not gotten back to you until now. Have you completed your UC migration yet and do you still need help?

poppy123456

If you were in the Support Group for ESA and you've now claimed UC then this will include the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

This means you can't be found to be gainfully self employed and this appointment is just a formality to briefly tell a work coach about the work you do. Therefore, mostly that information you have there doesn't really apply to you. The 12 month start up period will also not apply because you have no work commitments with LCWRA.

You will still be expected to report your earnings and expenses on the last day of each assessment period.

Charlongo

I have migrated thanks. It’s been a nightmare. They mucked up my payment so I was £200 short over Christmas and still haven’t had it. They thought I was going to be getting new style ESA as well even though someone from that department rang me to ask if I wanted to do that or go for all in UC. They don’t seem to communicate between departments!

I’ve also had a letter telling me I owe council tax (I’m on council tax support). Would this be due to changing to UC and could it be because of what happened above? I’m really upset about it as I thought it would all stay the same.

Kimmy87

Council Tax Reduction is decided on at a local level. Unfortunately because of that it's impossible for us to advise on individual cases from here.

I can say some areas do treat UC differently to legacy benefits, and some people have seen a change in what they have to pay.

Was it Transitional Protection which wasn't added to your first statement?

Charlongo

no there was no transitional payment. It was just that I was going to be getting some component of new ESA but we arranged for it to be cancelled down and all paid via UC. It seems very unfair that you are forced to change the benefit you receive and then get penalised in other areas. There really should be something done to prevent it.

poppy123456

There wouldn't have been any financial gain or loss whether you continued with New Style ESA or ended it. When people claim both New Style ESA and UC together the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement. ESA would pay you fortnightly at a rate of £276.40. UC would then top up your income.

As you've decided to end the ESA completely then your money will just be paid through UC.