Hi, my name is 1981!

1981

Hi everyone

I've just joined

I suffer with multiple health conditions and I've just received a migration notice for universal credit.

I've got till March to apply, going to wait till the new year to do so as I can't cope with the stress of it right now. Worried I'm going to end up worse off . Has anyone else recently been moved over and how difficult was it?

poppy123456

Which benefits exactly are you currently claiming?

If your UC entitlement is less than your current benefits your UC will include Transitional Protection so you won’t be worse off when you migrate.

Some people are actually better off by claiming UC.

1981

Hi poppy

I'm currently claiming esa and in the support group and housing benefit.

I also get pip but I'm still waiting on my review for that they are behind so have extended my claim till next year.

I wanting to leave applying for my uc till February so I can save some money up to buffer myself for the 5 week wait for the first payment as I don't want to be in arrears with rent and to cover bills .

I'm not sure if they back date the housing benefit.

Bit worried they are going to try and force me to look for jobs as I have a lot of health conditions. I'm not sure what other people with disabilities experience has been with this

poppy123456

Thank you. As you're in the Support Group for ESA you'll automatically be entitled to LCWRA element of UC from the start of your claim. This means you will not need to look for work or attend appointments, with the exception of your first appointment which you may need to attend. If you're unable to attend in person you can ask for a telephone appointment.

Any Income Related ESA and housing benefit will continue for 2 weeks once you claim UC. This means that there will only be about 3 weeks wait for your first payment. When taking into consideration the 2 week run on.

Your first UC payment will be about 5 weeks after you submit your claim. Then your payment will be for 1 month because it's paid 1 month in arrears.

If any part of your ESA is contributions based this will continue as normal at a rate of £276.40/fortnight and it will revert to New style ESA. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement at a rate of £598.86/month.

If your ESA includes the Severe disability Premium then your UC will include some Transitional Protection so you won't be any worse off when you do migrate.

Your rent will be paid in with UC known as housing element, unless you're living in supported or temporary housing and then it will continue to be paid from housing benefit.

The worst part for a lot of people is fear of the unknown. Once you've claimed and everything has been verified everything should be fine and straight forward.

You can also ask for an advance payment when you claim but this does need to be repaid back and your future UC payments will be reduced.

I hope this helps.

1981

Hi poppy

Thanks for all that information. It's settled my mind a lot.

According to my letters I get income related esa .

I do feel better about it now that you have explained more.

It really is the not knowing and it being a situation I haven't got much control over that set my anxiety.

I knew I would be getting moved over at some point i was just hoping have a bit more time to prepare and not have the land at this time of the year.

But I'm going to sort it in the new year now and allow my last few esa payments go in to save a bit of a buffer.

TThank you so much

poppy123456

You're welcome. ESA letters are never easy to determine exactly what your claim is made up of. Many people that have already migrated across are very confused when they receive a letter from ESA advising them that part of it is reverting to New style ESA. If you do receive one of those then please don't panic, it's nothing to worry about.

If you need further advice please do come back with any questions you have.