ESA Support Group to UC managed migration questions

moosee

Hi, just looking for some advice and reassurance. I'm VERY stressed about my migration to UC. I am in the support group and not well enough to travel to the job centre for initial meetings to get everything set up, so need everything to be done remotely. I will be applying online and will use the Citizens Advice help to claim online webchat service. I do have several questions for the community here, I hope that's OK?

1. Can my ID be verified by telephone if I'm unable to do it online? I don't have a passport but do have a driving license. What questions will they ask via telephone to verify my identity?
2. Do they need to see bank statements for migration? I have less than £6000 in my bank account and no other savings or assets etc. I have no other income apart from ESA, housing benefit and council tax reduction.
3. Do they need to see my tenancy agreement? I rent from a housing association.
4. Can I sign my claimant commitment online? I understand that my LCWRA group will be transferred over and my commitment will be minimal.

THanks. I probably have more questions too.

Kimmy87

Yes you should be able to have a phone call to verify ID. They will ask you questions about your personal details that only you know the answer to.

No as you are under £6k. You just need an up to date figure to put on the application.

No as you live on social housing. They will contact your landlord.

Yes you can. It does often take a few weeks for ESA to confirm your status with UC.

moosee

Thank you for your answers. I'm v stressed and have some cognitive impairment so finding this all VERY daunting.

I live I Scotland and CAB told me there are "Scottish Choices" where I can be paid every 2 weeks and have the housing element paid direct to my housing association. Is this a straightforward process?

Kimmy87

Yes.

After your UC application has been submitted, you will have access to your online UC account which is called the Journal.

You would write a message on the Journal that you would like two payments a month (this is not every two weeks and does mean on your first payment date you will only receive half your award, with the second half paid later) and your rent paid directly to your Landlord.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements/alternative-payment-arrangements#types-of-alternative-payment-arrangements-apas

Citizens Advice can assist you with this as part of their Help to Claim service.

moosee

OK thanks.

JJust want to confirm I won't need to upload bank statement or tenancy agreement? I find the more technical stuff v v difficult.

Is the online ID verification straightforward too? Or will I need to take photos?

Sorry, I have trouble thinking clearly and finding this all daunting. I struggle taking photos or scanning things, and trying to upload documents is difficult for me.

Kimmy87

No bank statements as you are under 6k.

No tenancy agreement as you live in social housing. They will contact your landlord and LL will confirm your rent to UC.

I didn't verify my ID online so can't advise with that question.

moosee

Thank you Kimmy.

I assume that I will go into arrears on my rent? I have savings I can use to pay. But I'm v v confused about the tim8ng of the new UC payments.

Kimmy87

Yes that's correct. What my LL does is wait for the first UC payment, then set up a payment plan for the arrears.

When the arrears are cleared eventually each UC payment puts the account one month into credit.

I personally paid my rent weekly until my first UC payment put my account into credit. I could afford to do so and it was much easier and less stressful.

You should let your Landlord know you'll be claiming UC.

Once you claim UC, legacy benefits end apart from one more payment around 2 weeks later (known as the run on payment). This isn't always the full amount. This doesn't affect your first UC payment.

Three weeks after that you receive your first UC payment.

If you've asked for two payments a month this will be for half your award (excluding rent going direct to LL which will happen monthly). The other half will follow I think 14-17 days later.

moosee

OK thanks,. I assumed my rent would go into arrears.

If I request my housing element to b3 paid direct to my landlord does this happen from the very first payment?

CAB told me that even if I request the twice monthly payment option, the very first payment would be for a month, then the second payment will be split into two. They were less clear about what happened with the housing element.

Sorry, so many questions.

moosee

And I will have to reapply for Council Tax reduction too? Direct with the local council? Is this straightforward?

Kimmy87

Sorry I am more used to advising for England.

Yes as you are in Scotland CA were correct about the two payments.

Housing Element will be paid monthly directly to your LL whatever arrangement you have for the rest of your award.

This can only be set up after your first payment, via the method I already advised. The same as the two monthly payments.

So after your first payment you would request 2 monthly payments & HE direct to LL via your Journal.

Yes you do need to inform your local authority re Council Tax. They will likely ask to see your first statement and will re calculate your award. You do not need to re apply.

Some areas treat UC income differently to legacy benefits and some people have seen an increase in what they need to contribute towards CT.

As each local authority has different rules we cannot advise on individual cases from here.

moosee

OK

Thanks

moosee

I am worried about something though...

If my first payment is monthly and includes the housing element this will be a large amount which may s3nd me over the £6000 limit before other bills are paid, before i pay my landlord, electric etc. Will I be penalised for this?

Kimmy87

If you received any Cost of Living payments these are excluded permanently from calculating your capital, as long as your money hasn't gone over what you received.

So if that's the case subtract from your bank accounts what you've received.

The amount left is your applicable capital.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Also, benefit payments are first counted as income, for UC they only count as capital on month 2 (anything unspent).

Month 1 income.

Month 2 capital.

moosee

Yes, i did receive CofL payments, over £1000 I think.

So, I don't need to worry about the UC payments sending me over the 6000 mark in the short term?

Kimmy87

No you don't.

moosee

Thank you Kimmy

moosee

Hi again,

The managed migration from ESA to UC won't trigger a WCA will it? I only had one Feb last year with the decision notification coming thru in April. I'm I support group.

V stressed about migration. Should be smoother than I'm anticipating?

Kimmy87

Migrating won't trigger another assessment.

You will be entitled to LCWRA (the UC equivalent of ESA Support Group) from the beginning of your claim. It can take a few weeks for ESA to confirm your status with UC.

Although there is supposedly some automation now, I still advise people to add a Journal note about their ESA status after applying.

Most people don't have any problems and the unknown can cause anxiety. Yes things can and do go wrong, which you'll probably read about, because the few that have issues post about them whereas the majority that have a positive experience - don't.

moosee

Ok thanks. Is there suitable sections to write these additional notes in the journal? Is it a note for the work coach?

I could also write a note explaining I need things (ID check, claimant commitment) to be done online or by telephone as I'm not well enough to travel?

"Yes things can and do go wrong, which you'll probably read about, because the few that have issues post about them whereas the majority that have a positive experience - don't"

Thanks for that. Internet is v bad for making me stress and think worst. I'm in touch with Citizens Advice Help To Claim in case things go wrong.

Kimmy87

Yes you would need to make those requests on the Journal.

There used to be a "Service Issues" catagory which was useful as it went to a case manager. That has been withdrawn recently.

The other option is "payment" that will still go to case manager.

With LCWRA you don't have a work coach.

So at some point after applying your ESA will be confirmed and you'll no longer have a work coach.

Messages marked work coach would then go to a service centre where they can take a long time to read and reply.