Universal Credit Bank Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

Grumpy1314

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1041864#Comment_1041864

that’s sound financial sense that you do each month.

I’ve got a budget set up on my words excel, I’ll send that to DWP if they ask alongside 3 months of bank statements if required. My money is counted to the last penny which makes sense each month. My shopping I always do it online, then when it’s delivered they bring it up the stairs for me which is good. The last ten months have been a learning curve as it’s the first time in 42 years I’ve lived alone. I’ve had to put steps in place where I now pay for everything by card, instead of DD. I have got to comfy with my mental health not cooking and instead I order take away for a week on end at times. I’ve just kind of accepted my situation is how it is and nothing will change that. I just do what I can go get through each minute of the day, let alone a day.

LazyLump

so I opened a bank account for my son so he could send money to save. He wanted me to open an account so he didn’t have direct access so he wasn’t tempted to spend. It hasn’t got much it right now around £250. What should I do?

Rosie_Scope

Hi @LazyLump, this should all be okay. It's best to tell them about the account and explain to them what the money is for so they can take everything into account.

It's fine to receive money from other people and as it's quite a small amount in the account, it shouldn't affect things unless you're already towards the top of the £6,000 limit in your other accounts.

It's worth just keeping an eye on how much is in there as time goes on though. Although it's for your son it will likely be seen as your money if it's in your name, so will go towards the limits.

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