Universal Credit Bank Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

LazyLump

I don’t have any money saved, it’s used up most months and I will tell him I need to transfer it back to him. I will declare the account and explain. Thank you

MadMilan2019

I am puzzled by advice from Leeds Welfare Rights.

I still do not understand given my migration to UC,

how long transitional protection lasts?

Will I lose my ESA, DP SDP because of the UC PIP Bill recently passed?

Milan Ghosh.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1049419#Comment_1049419

Transitional Protection lasts different lengths for everyone. Some people get more than others to start with.

It will 'erode' every time benefits rates increase, or your housing costs increase, or you have certain other changes on UC.

Eventually it will all erode and then you'll get the same rates as everyone else.

SDP is not paid with UC. That is why you get Transitional Protection when migrating.

MadMilan2019

On Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 02:40:29 PM GMT+1, Welfare Rights <welfare.rights@leeds .gov.uk> wrote:

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email.

 

The amount of Transitional Protection that someone receives differs depending on their circumstances when they migrate to Universal Credit. The aim of Transitional Protection is to make sure that the amount of Universal Credit you receive (at the point of migration) is the same as the amount of ESA and Housing Benefit that you received prior to migration.

 

Like wise the length of time that the Transitional Protection will last, and how much it decreases by over time,  will depend on the type of circumstances each person has when they migrate to Universal Credit and if they have any change of circumstances (depending on the type of change) after claiming Universal Credit.

 

There is no set way of working out how long your individual Transitional Protection will last because we do not know what or if any changes of circumstance you will have.

 

The only online link we are aware of that explains this is the DWP link: Transitional protection if you receive a Migration Notice letter - GOV.UK.

 

Thank you for your enquiry

Regards

 

Shefda Cattermoul

Welfare Rights Worker

Welfare Rights Unit | Leeds City Council

sicylepath

I have a review and there are a few questions I could do with some help with if anyone could help me with please?

1. With the photo ID I have just moved and haven't updated my details on UC yet. My photo ID has the old address on it. Is this still valid or do I need to get my ID changed to my new address. Or should I upload my old address ID then inform of a change of address ?

sicylepath

2.With my change of address, I was evicted from my previous flat due to it being sold and the landlord wanting to renovate all the flats. I left on good terms with no rent being owed. I have been lucky enough that my parents have bought a house and gifted it to me, with it being in my name. Am I right in thinking that as I live in the house it doesn't count as capital? no one else lives with me and I obviously won't have housing element to claim for only council tax reduction.
They sent me a couple of payments to my account for 350 and 385 for solicitors fees and a survey but it can clearly be seen as payed for on my card for those transactions. They don't send or give me money for anything else

sicylepath

3.Is the review for the 4 months previous bank statements from the date they were asked for, or the date you upload them ?

sicylepath

4.I got UC, Housing benefit, LCWRA & PIP. I had a standing order for my rent I only have 3 direct debits for internet and 2 credit cards, so I get a £3 monthly reward from my account. I use cash to pay for everything else or my credit cards occasionally. I take out £500 on the day of my bigger UC payment then £500 a week later. But some weeks I take out £500 on consecutive days instead, so it's not regular when i take cash out.
Am I going to be questioned on everything that I spend it on ? as I don't have the receipts for anything
Also would they say I would have to keep receipts of large purchases in the future ? as I have not a record of them as opposed to paying by card where it would be recorded

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1067957#Comment_1067957

Hi,

You should have updated your housing situation on the day that you moved. You could have been overpaid Housing Element by now. I would recommend making that change online today if you have still not done so.

UC will understand that you are moving so photo ID should still be accepted with the old address.

MadMilan2019

I ask people to

get advice from WWW.CAB.org.uk

SCOPE to invite their professional benefit advisors

to monitor and respond to people on this online forum.

Buy ''Disability Rights Handbook'' 2026

and

''Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits HandBook 2026''

when they are published

by Googling them, in '' '' above.

Finally do not give up; I did recently and felt worse, and made it worse, is my confession.

I used to go down not just once a year, but 3 or 4 times.

We all cop out, are human, and imperfect, so please take inspiration from this.

We are worth supporting, need to support each other, and boost each others self esteem,

and need to develop even more self compassion, and Disability Pride.

Socrates63

Re:madmilan

I totally agree with you and what you said about encouraging people to go to cab for advice. Which is why I said on my post that that is exactly what I did. I went to cab and they were terrific for me. I encourage people do the same. I could have left it, but didn't. I hope people do the same.

MadMilan2019

Thank you Socrates63

CAB stands for citizens advice bureau, for those who do not know.

CABs were set up as advice centres for those not so well-off, and advise people mostly on debts, welfare benefits, and also housing, neighbour disputes etc.

You can volunteer if you wish. Just Google your towns name and cab.

Also if you find you enjoy advice work, after the induction training, then you will have a useful voluntary occupation, more co0nfidence about your human rights in general,

and welfare rights in particular. It could be very good for your physical and mental health, partly because you will be better able to challenge DWP, HB CTB and other benefit decisions. And you will be going at your own pace into voluntary advice, and maybe later, paid work.

My next post will be more advice on

Transitional Protection, when people are migrated from UC from disability benefits.

And the source is Leeds Welfare Rights Unit, run by Leeds City Council.

So, city councils Welfare Rights are another source of welfare benefits advice.

Would anybody like to list more sources of welfare rights advice; the reason why I ask this is to ameliorate the anxiety which quite naturally many of us are feeling.

This horrible anxiety can make up feel trapped, imprisoned, depressed, even suicidal, and in reality, there is always abundant richness, if we are aware, kind to ourselves, and mindful.

Finally a request to SCOPE:

I have noticed one cannot eidt one's posts after Posting them, unlike other social media platforms. I'd really appreciate an option to edit, to correct spelling, and other, mistakes.

Thanks folks.

Be strong. Be positive. Survive.

Albus_Scope

Heya @MadMilan2019 as stated in the user guide, when users hit certain ranks on the community, it unlocks the ability to edit their comments for a certain length of time. This is to stop bad actors from editing comments to include dangerous links and such. As you are currently "empowering" you can edit your comments for up to one hour.

Hope that helps.

MadMilan2019

Dear Albus, and all the other lovely people on this forum,

I am so touched by peoples kindnesses.

My life is about compassion for myself, and others not one or the other. And find this middle way really works, brings happiness, despite the dark side of life.

The migration to UC back in June was stressful, but the DWP Jobcentre are not going to make me do paid work, along with this rough council estate I live on here in Swarcliffe, Stanks and Seacroft Leeds 14, and gangs and their associated ASB. Having said that its been the quietest 3 months in years, largely due to sound police work, and they appreciate my, and few other brave residents, consistent intelligence and evidence gathering, unlike Leeds City Council who don't care about their tenants, despite good laws, procedures and their supposed partnership with the police.

It is my view that the spread of gang crime has impacted many peoples physical and mental health, causing disabilities, at least partly. Add on top of that the effects of illegal drugs, many are unable to work. Add to these the ASB, and and there is a recipe for keeping people out of work. So, gang crime, hard drugs, ASB need to be tackled together by the government, otherwise I predict whatever welfare to work of whichever government of the day will FAIL.

Be kind to yourselves, and look after yourselves, I cannot say this enough to disabled people, we need reminders of self and other compassion every day and every night.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1068759#Comment_1068759

Oh me too I hate asking for help I hate it but randomly I called CAB UC line guy called john he was amazing he went through form with me of my rent the lot when that was done he said right lets call UC I was like WHAT he reassured me he would stay on the line and listen in so went over questions again with UC guy and he was lovely too honestly id be worried for years over applying filling form ps did phone claim but I agree CAB outstanding