ESA (i.r & s.g) migration to u.c

thisisit

Hi, I have been on ESA (i.r and in s.g) for several years. When I migrate to u.c will I be seen as 'a new claimant ' ?

I read somewhere that most 'new claims ' would have bank accounts checked / more questions asked etc..

Are migration claims being dealt with the same as 'fresh new claims' .

Hope I made sense.

Thank you for any clarification .

poppy123456

Yes it will be a new claim but because you're in the Support Group then you'll automatically be entitled to the LCWRA element of UC from the start of your claim. You do not need to provide any fit notes.

When you do claim the system is now set up to automatically detect you're in the Support Group so you shouldn't be asked to provide any fit notes. They are not needed anyway, even if you are asked.

Yes, you will need to give them information about your capital/savings when filling out the form. You will not need to give them full details such as bank account/sort codes for any other bank apart from the one you want your money paid into.

You will only need to provide bank statements if your capital is more than £6,000.

thisisit

Thank you poppy- if you have less than £6000 do they still ask how much you have at present or what you spend the money on? I've read so much I'm not sure what the real answers are.…

poppy123456

You're welcome. They ask if you have any capital, this means everything you have when you claim. Therefore, yes you will need to tell them, even if it's less than £6,000 when you claim. They will not ask what you spend your money on.

Kimmy87

When you apply for UC you'll be asked to declare how much capital that you have, whether it's under or over £6000 it has to be declared.

If your claim is selected for a check, you'll need to submit bank statements and answer questions about your spending, again no matter if it's over or under £6k.

Claims are selected at random for these checks, a new claim is no more or less likely to be picked.

poppy123456

To be clear, when you actually fill out the form, they do not ask what you spend your money on.

thisisit

Thank you Kimmy and poppy. Don't know if this is common but do they ask for you to go to the job centre/ask fit notes even if you are in the esa s.g ? Has the online system been 'updated/fixed' so those in sg are known about. I have seen comments on the forum that are a bit concerning/not straightforward...

Thank you for your replies- extremely helpful .

poppy123456

They have recently updated the system so it recognises you are in the Support Group so will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

If they do ask you to provide a fit note, this isn't needed so please do not provide one. Just tell them you're in the Support Group.

You maybe asked to attend your first appointment at your local Job centre but you can ask for a telephone appointment for this, if you're unable to attend in person.