Universal Credit Letter

Venus_Cee

Can anyone please help? I'm in a bit of a state with anxiety right now. I claim ESA income related. I'm in the support group. I also get standard pip for both parts. My husband claims carers. I've had a letter this morning saying I need to apply for UC and I don't have a clue where to start. I don't know anything about benefits. I had a welfare officer start my claim a long time ago and just accepted what they gave me. I've seen people talking about UC but don't understand anything because they talk about WRC or something like that and other things like severe premium (sorry, not sure on the terms). Who can I go to, to help with this? I'm completely housebound. I don't leave my house at all and I'm terrible on the phone, I lose concentration and can't understand what I'm being told. Even reading, I have to read everything five or more times to take it all in. I've heard so many people say they had to get an advance when they start claiming and had to pay that back - I'm guessing that means a loan until their claim is made and UC take that loan straight back?
I'm really worried about this because we barely survive on the money we get right now and if I have to wait six weeks or so, I'll not survive it. I've been told 'save as much as you can till your claim goes through' but we're always skint, days after we've had a payment. I never have anything left after the first week so won't be able to save anything.

Is there somewhere I can get help with, for this? Someone who would come to my house to help? I'm only just pulling myself together after a six day fibro flare so my head's all over the place. And I'm still struggling with a bout of depression. This is making me much worse. I don't know how I'll survive four full weeks between payments. Can anyone help please? Thanks in advance!! x

Kimi87

You can look into the possibility of a home visit through local welfare rights organisation

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Or your local council might be able to direct you somewhere.

Citizens Advice have a Help to Claim service, operated by webchat & phone

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

Once you claim UC legacy benefits stop (ESA and any Housing Benefit) , apart from a final payment around two weeks later (known as the run on payment). Your first UC payment is then three weeks later and every month afterwards.

Carers Allowance and PIP are unaffected by a move to UC.