Migration from ESA to UC

Tillyboo

Theres a question "do you claim carers allowance" on the ESA to UC online form.

We both care for each other & get carers premium added onto the ESA claim.

How do we answer this, as theres no option to answer about carers premium.

We both get SDP & Carers Premium. My husband is 71 & gets state pension. I'm 61 & hes on my ESA claim, but his state pension comes off it.

I have never been so stressed out by a form. I've rung CAB & Age UK & a Welfare Officer in our sheltered housing & each one gives a different answer.

As my husbands not long been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer I just feel like I could collapse with stress.

Can anyone answer the carers allowance/carers premium question, as we cant be the only ones?

I appreciate any help advice. Thank you

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Carers Premium will be lost by moving to UC anyway.

So if you are not getting Carers Allowance, then put NO for that question.

Where it asks whether you care for someone, that's when you put YES, so that you can receive the Carers Element of UC.

I hope that makes sense.

Tillyboo

Ok. Thank you.

What about the SDP part, is there anywhere on the form that mentions it? I've had a look but cant see anything, but my brains fogged & not sure I've missed it?

Thank you for reply

Kimi87

There is nowhere to mention SDP on the application.

After you've applied for UC they ask ESA to confirm your previous award so they will be informed about SDP.

If you feel that Transitional Protection applies to your claim and it's missing from the first statement, you can flag that with them to look at.

Tillyboo

It says transitional protection at the bottom of both of our letters, reg 44 or something like that.

Thanks for reply

Tillyboo

Sorry another question. When applying online. Cant I just attach my current ESA award ahowing the total breakdown of what I actually recieve?

I rung the help to claim line to see if I need to book an appointment when I finally do these forms & they went through a benefits check & it seems everything would stay the same but 2 things she said confused me.

1. Carers premium I have to be interviewed about that
2. I have to commit to a work coach

I Told her repeatdly I am on ESA support group joint SDP & Cares premium with my husband, who is on my claim but recieves state pension, which is deducted from the ESA.

I would dearly love to speak to someone who is the exact same position as me mixed age couple etc

My 71 year old husband doesnt know how to use a computor doesnt have a smartphone, only a little Nokia purely for hospital/docs to ring. Due to having a stroke his right hand doesnt work. I have a smart phone & an old desk top, but cant sit for hours filling in forms, due to conditions I have spinal & sight. Helpline said the forms would take over an hour over the phone to complete, so I honestly dont know how I'll manage.

Do you know of any organisations who can be paid to come to your home & complete these forms on our behalf?

I am so stressed with this, my shock of my husbands cancer my own health everything is really getting to me.

Kimi87

When you apply online you don't attach proof of your legacy benefits.

As advised UC ask ESA for details of your previous award. This is all done by them behind the scenes.

Everyone gets assigned a work coach when applying for UC. Once your ESA status is confirmed you will no longer have one. Some people end up having one appointment, others none.

You can start to fill in the form online, at various points you will be able to save progress and return later to fill more in. You have 28 days after starting to submit the form.

Your local council might offer a home visit service for filling in benefit forms.

Tillyboo

Ok. Thank you