Hi, my name is dan47! Issues with migrating to Universal Credit, any advice?

dan47

Hi everyone, I'm having a bit of a nightmare with universal credit and I'm wondering if anyone can help or advise. I received a migration letter telling me I needed to migrate to universal credit, I was on ESA support group and housing benefit. I started the process, I filled out everything correctly, went for the ID interview ect. Was told everything was good. Then I recieved my first universal credit statement which said I was this month being paid £0. I had actually been awarded £1009 but after deductions for new style ESA and the rest going to my landlord I'm left with £0 and a £200 shortfall to make up in rent. I have had absolutely no notice from the DWP that I'm on new style ESA although Im fairly sure this is what's happened. My universal credit statement should include the LCWRA element but it is not included, this I understand is wrong. I have contacted universal credit about this who agree on the face of it all it's wrong so they have sent the case to a decision maker, the thing is though there is no time limit at all on how long this decision maker will take and universal credit have even said it could take a couple of months! This is their mistake not mine and i have to suffer because of it, so much for the managed migration rules and treating people fairly! Has anybody here had similar experiences who could give me some advise?

Kimi87

It's happening a lot as the number of migration notices increase.

There are delays in confirming previous ESA awards.

It really shouldn't take months.

Once it's sorted out a letter will be added to your Journal stating the amount owed due to underpayment. A revised statement will be added alongside the previous version.

The money will then be paid within a few working days.

dan47

I hope you are right kimi. I've done nothing wrong at all so hopefully you could be right and it's just admin stuff, I've just not got a good feeling though. At the moment my only income is the new style ESA by the time I've made up the shortfall in my rent and paid my bills I'm not going to have much left each month. They did say I could be waiting a couple months not that I will, but I have read some scare stories about these decision makers taking that much time and actually longer in some cases

Kimi87

It's true Decision Makers can take quite some time, but your issue is a delay (whichever end) in confirming your previous ESA award.

So it's a simple admin matter rather than a decision that needs to be made.