Hi, I got my migration letter from ESA to UC on Dec 13th and I have until 13th March to claim. I have an appointment on the 3rd February to put a new claim in, at a community advice centre, but I have a few questions the advisors are unsure of, and i was wondering if you could help me, as it's stressing me out.
I'm due an ESA payment on the 4th. I got told that would be paid, as normal, but would be my last payment. Does that mean that
1) I won't get the 2 weeks ESA run on? So I will be without any income for 5 weeks (or until my claim is assessed) I definitely won't get any payment at all on the 18th?
2) I claim housing benefit so I'm wondering if, my last ESA payment is the 4th, will my housing benefit stop then?
3) I know I can claim an advanced payment, does anyone know how much they take back to pay debts?
4) Also, I won't have to pay the money I get on the 4th back? I am 100% entitled to that payment?
Sorry if my questions sound silly, or obvious, but the move to universal credit is making me very anxious. I have a lot of trauma around money (my mum had bipolar. She was thousands of pounds in debts, and as a kid, bailiffs were always coming to the house. Also, I was in an abusive relationship, where my ex partner had addition issues, and would steal money from me and, in the end, I wasn't allowed money) I basically have no one who can lend me money (I'm estranged from my family and don't have many friends) so im basically responsible for myself and have to make sure i can survive for 5 weeks.
Thanks,
