Hello to everyone I'd like some advice please.....

tealhoneydew16

I'm very new to the site and this is my first post. I hope it finds the right person.
I have been on IR ESA since 2014 along with LHA I privately rent. I received the migration notice to move my benefits to Universal Credit last November 2024. I had not even heard of UC but anyways going forward I decided to wait until after Christmas. This has been both very stressful and tiring with worry. I managed to complete all what was asked of me then I got a message last Friday from the JCP to discuss claimant commitment for ESA, I always thought I was IR only so I found this out after completing migration. I have a telephone call this Friday afternoon 28/02/25 I used my bank details as I was told I had to bank account in my name which I've given to UC on my claim form, my question is when I get this call about ESA NS do I tell them to use my bank to pay or can I continue with my trusted family member who has always had my benefits paid too. I just want to make sure everything is done by the book. Thank you in advance.

tealhoneydew16

Sorry to add I'm still waiting for my first statement which they say will be up 5/3/24 then 1st payment for UC will be on 9/3/25 it's been a long wait.

Kimi87

They (ESA) should carry on using the bank account your ESA has been paid into previously.

See this thread for others experiences with this appointment

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/128927/new-style-esa-telephone-appointment

Your UC statement is often available a few days before the date they give.

My Assessment Period is 26th to 25th. Payment 2nd.

Statement date is given as 28th but usually it's available on the 26th.

tealhoneydew16

hi Kimmy thank you so much for your help. I thought that would be the case for ESA continue to pay as normal. I just wanted to make sure. Everyone I've spoken to since the start of this hasn't been able to advise me or not given me the correct advice. Also to ask you will I get a transitional amount for the Disability payments that were added to my ESA support group being this move to UC I'll be claiming the Housing Element how would this work out with the support group status I think is called LCWRA on UC along with the NS ESA payment thank you in advance any help much appreciated!

Kimi87

UC is a benefit made up of different elements. So you would get LCWRA, Housing, Standard Allowance, plus any others that you may be entitled too.

If your total UC award (before deductions) is less than your legacy benefits, Transitional Protection will be added to ensure at the time of transfer you aren't worse off. This does erode over time as other elements go up or new elements are added.

Someone on ESA SG with Severe Disability Premium would be worse off on UC, so would get TP.

Someone on ESA SG without SDP (so only Enhanced Disability Premium) would be better off, so wouldn't get TP.

Housing Element will be added onto your UC claim.

Every element is added up, then any deductions are made (like for NS ESA).

tealhoneydew16

thank you so much kimmy very nice of you to help me out very much appreciated. I was IR ESA Support Group and received the disabled elements as I live alone over 25 nobody claims Carers allowance or paid carers allowance I try to live as independent as much as I can will they see this after the transfer I did state it on the UC Claim…..

Kimi87

ESA will confirm the details of your previous award with UC. So UC will know what you were being paid.

tealhoneydew16

That's great thank you again Kimmy I found this site just recently and I've looked here for help advice on this UC transfer and after reading up on the NS ESA for IR CB advice… I wouldn't have know but for this site, I actually rang the ESA team before applying and they said yes your claim is IR only so you get different answers from everywhere… it's only picked thus up as being both IR CB ESA after claiming for UC which if known earlier would have saved me a lot of worry I just hope the call on Friday goes well fingers crossed.

tealhoneydew16

oh just one more thing I was paying my gas/elec via fuel direct 3rd party deductions of which was taken out of my esa payments so will that stop being deducted or carry on thank you in advance…

Kimi87

Not an area I have any knowledge of, sorry.

tealhoneydew16

Okies thank you anyways for your help you've been great!