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Moving from ESA to UC sever disability premium

TinaW60

My son gets enhanced PIP daily living and mobility. He gets ESA as he is not fit for work, within that he gets Severe Disability Premium, which I believe is like carers allowance for people who don't have a carer claiming for them.

He has had a letter saying that he must change to Universal Credit. I've been told that when he changes, the Severe Disability Premium will stop (maybe after a transition period?) I can't find a simple, straightforward answer. Will he be worse off on UC because of the loss of SDP or will it be replaced by something else? I'd be grateful for any help or advice, thank you.

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Kimi87

SDP isn't payable under UC, after claiming he'll receive one more payment of ESA then that ends.

He won't be worse off on UC, another element called Transitional Protection will be added to his payment so his money won't go down.

TP is designed so at the point of transfer he won't be worse off compared to legacy benefits.

This does erode over time as other elements go up or new elements are added to the claim.

How long it takes to erode completely differs, but eventually two people both transferred from ESA, one with SDP one without, will be on the same money.

A great example of TP is here

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/when-will-my-universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection-end

TinaW60

Thank you Kimmy, I really appreciate that. I read the article you recommended but if you have time and inclination, please indulge me by talking to me as if I'm 5 years old because that is how my brain seems to be working these days.

Just to be absolutely clear, even when the transitional protection ends, he won't be on less money because it only ends when other money increases? So he will not be any worse off on UC, even in the future (unless they change the rules drastically)?

It's just that he is very worried and I'd like to be able to tell him, he won't be worse off, if possible. Sorry to go on about it, we both just find it a bit difficult to grasp.

Thanks again.

Kimi87

These are made up figures obviously.

Legacy Benefits £750

UC Entitlement £500 + £250 TP

Year 2 with UC annual rise £550 +200 TP

Year 5 with UC annual rise £750 + £0 TP

Year 6 with UC annual rise £800

TinaW60

Thank you so much, very much appreciated.

mia33

Thanks for explanation ..

So as i understand it .. as UC payment increases annually, those on TP don't benefit from the increase as the TP is reduced instead.. and eventually the TP is reduced so a disabled person is on the same payment as a non disabled person. Is that right? So you do loose the additional financial support, but loose it in over a period of time.

Is there other financial support a disabled person can apply for on UC as the TP is being reduced, so they are still able to afford.. for example carer help ?

Kimi87

Your understanding is correct.

It's not so much that a disabled person and a non disabled person will end up on the same money.

It's more two people both transferred from say ESA Support Group, one with SDP one without, will be on the same money eventually.

UC doesn't have any disability premiums payable.

You can see a list of the available elements here:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/additional-elements-of-universal-credit-uc

angie47

Can someone help 3ive not received my universal credit notice letter as yet I'm on esa support group with housing benefit and pip I'm getting worried as esa stops soon and I've had no letter for the move

Kimi87

Migration letters are going out up until September (this has recently been brought forward from December).

Your ESA won't stop until you claim UC.

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