Migrated from UC from IR ESA

Grant84

Hello everyone I am new here and have some questions about my migration to UC. I have been aing time claimant of IR ESA with the support group element. I have since started the migration process over to UC as of the 19th of March. I had my proof of identity interview and stared my UC claim I even got given an advance payment. I was then told that I would receive my last ESA payment on 28th of March which I received. Now I'm still waiting for my first UC payment that is due on the 21st of April after I find out on the 17th how much I will be paid. But apon checking my bank account this morning I have had another ESA payment go in! It would of been my normal fortnightly payment had I not migrated to UC. Can anybody shed any light on what's happened as I'm a bit confused and worried that this will affect my UC claim.

Also on a side note if I was recieving income related ESA with the other support group element. Will I be placed in to the LCWRA with UC?

Many thanks

Grant.

Kimi87

If you are migrating from the Support Group for ESA, then you are automatically entitled to the UC equivalent which is LCWRA.

After claiming UC legacy benefits continue for 2 weeks. This is known as the run on payment and does not impact your UC payment.

Migration numbers have increased recently and this has caused more people not to have their ESA stopped at the correct time.

I personally only used to see this happening (via forum) rarely, now it's getting more and more common.

If you have been paid too much ESA, this will be deducted from your UC award.

Grant84

Oh okay I see will the amount be taken in one big payment or spread out over time? As I will be paying back an amount from my UC for the advance payment they gave me when I first opened my UC account

Grant84

Kimi87 will it be deducted in one lump payment or spread out over time? I ask as I will be paying back the advance they gave me.

Kimi87

It depends on the amount of overpayment.

Small amounts get deducted in full, larger amounts have repayments spread out.

As you will already be paying back an advance, it's more likely to be taken in installments because as I understand it, UC are only allowed to deduct a fixed percentage each month.

Grant84

Kimi87 no I've not received my first UC payment yet that's due on the 21st this month

Kimi87

I've corrected my words but the advice is still correct 😊

Grant84

Kimi87 thank you for your help. One last thing if I may I've been reading that some still claim ESA new type along with UC. I've been on income related ESA since 2011 with the support group element. 8 have just this minute had a letter delivered from the DWP ESA department telling me my amounts are going up. But after speaking with them just now they haven't had any communication from UC regarding my migration.

Kimi87

It's probably an annual uprating letter, they send those letters out on a staggered basis, I had mine in January.

As advised more migration letters mean slower communication between UC and ESA. With a lower workload it used to take at least a few weeks anyway.