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SDP transitional protection and child element

social_moth

I just want to understand something that came up during a "better off" calculation today. I've never claimed UC. I am still on the old ESA system. We get couples rate SDP. I was fortunate enough in the past to not have to claim child benefit and let their dad (separated) claim it. 6 monthd ago I started claiming child benefit for one of my children. Obviously as there's no tax credits any more the CB is the only money I recieve for my child.

From what I understood, the SDP transitional protection amount decreased for any increase in UC income? So I thought that when we move to UC, the child element would cancel out part of the transitional protection?

The better off calculator is telling me we will recieve the child element AND the full transitional protection of over £600... so we will be over £300 better off? If so, I've put off claiming it for months 🤦🏻‍♀️ Still had no invite. Just want to make sure before making a claim.

Also, if we would be better off - is there a good time to claim it because we are living hand to mouth at the moment and can't afford to have no money for weeks.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

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Comments

Kimi87

When moving to UC via managed migration (a letter) what UC do is add up all the elements you are entitled to. Then, if (before deductions) you will be worse off on UC, Transitional Protection will be added so at the time of transfer your award matches legacy benefits.

Transitional Protection does erode over time as other elements go up or new elements are added.

If you move through natural migration (no letter) then a fixed SDP TP amount applies.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/how-much-universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection-will-i-get

I suspect seeing a trained benefits advisor would be beneficial, they can do a calculation with you to make sure your understanding is correct.

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

social_moth

Thank you @Kimi87 - You've pretty much confirmed what I originally thought - that the transitional protection amount would reduce because of the new element for my child. I used the Turn2Us calculator if anyone reads this in future and gets a similar result. I think it needs adjusting as it's not taking into account that the transitional protection amount can be affected if another element increases. I will wait until I get a letter before migrating then if we are not any better off. Thanks again.

social_moth

I've just seen the part about fixed SDP - I think that's what it's assumed. In which case I have no change of circumstances that would force that. We are thinking if moving house over the border of another local authority area but I'll probably get a letter before then.

Kimi87

When you claim UC you would be entitled to child element.

This would leave less for Transitional Protection to make up at the time of transfer (if you wait for a letter).

Letters are being sent out up until September.

I would still recommend seeing a welfare rights organisation especially as you are finding things a struggle at the moment.

social_moth

I just wanted to say thank you @Kimi87 - I spoke to a CAB advisor today who worked everything out and we would be £187 per month better off on UC but only if we move voluntarily before the letter - though my partner will be treated as a job seeker which is fine as he previously was in the support group before he went back to work and struggles with the same problems now. We are going to claim UC next week (waiting until after next ESA payment and hopefully we won't have got the letter before then). I wouldn't have even bothered to check unless you'd said about the fixed amount as I assumed any extra would just be swallowed up. This will really help us.