Do I have to migrate?

bellatango

I've had my migration notice for UC.

I currently receive esa but I believe it's CB with IR top up £323.50 a fortnight - not definite on that though.

Haven't worked since 2004 and I'm in the support group and also receive enhanced pip for daily and mobility. No housing costs claimed.

I understand (if the above assumption is correct) that on migration I would receive NS esa of 281.10 a fortnight and UC 214.36 (after 609.05 esa deduction) a month.

NS esa isn't means tested so if I didn't migrate what would happen to my current esa, would it just automatically change to NS ESA? I realise I would be losing £200 a month but would have less stress which is worth more to me tbh.

Thanks.

bellatango

Can you offer any advice @Kimi87

chiarieds

Hi @bellatango - sorry, I haven't seen Kimi about for a few days.

Yes, you're correct, you'd get £214.36 UC a month (after a monthly deduction of £609.05 for ESA), but overall you'd still have £823.41 a month.

Currently you say you get £323. 50 every 2 weeks, so £700.92 a month. With a total monthly amount of £823.41 on UC comparing this to the £700.92 you receive now, then with UC you'd be £122.49 better off each month.

As IR ESA is ending, then if you don't migrate you'd be £91.87 worse off each month (£323.50 - £281.10 divided by 2, then x 52 & divide by 12 = £91.87) CB +IR ESA minus CB part which leaves the IR part you'd lose each month.

I believe then your ESA would just be the contribution based part. It's just if you migrate that it changes to New style ESA, with the IR part running on for 2 weeks, then it stops:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/121150/uc-managed-migration-guide

bellatango

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037012#Comment_1037012

Many thanks chiarieds.

So if I just ignored the letter would my esa just change from £323.50 every 2 weeks to £289.10 every 2 weeks instead?

I don't know for absolute certain mine is cb based with an ir top up, but I have been receiving a p60u every year and started on incapacity benefit in 2005 and was changed to esa roughly around 2013. I've not even had an assessment for 12 years!

I feel a bit guilty about just giving up £200 a month UC when I see so many people struggling for every penny, but I just want to be left alone and not mithered to death with 101 questions and bank reviews and whatnot.

I can manage with that and my pip, but just don't know if I would be making a mistake?

bellatango

Sorry for all the questions but can I just check

pip enhanced rate for both parts (£749.80 every 4 weeks) and plus esa

I currently get per week

ESA

Basic £92.05

Support £48.50

Disability income guarantee £ 21.20

Total = £161.75 a week, so if I don't migrate is the IR part that I would lose the £21.20?

chiarieds

You're welcome. Your ESA would reduce from £323.50 to £281.10 every 2 weeks. As Support Group is £281.10, & you instead receive £323.50 then the extra amount is due to an IR top up. You'd lose £91.87 a month if you don't migrate.

The decision is one only you can make. For many the migration process is easy, & other than having to provide ID or answer a few questions over the phone that only you would know about, then you just have to say that you'll report any changes (your commitments) & all should be well. I can also understand where you're coming from.

bellatango

Bless you chiarieds

I just wasn't sure what would happen if I ignored the migration letter and was worried my benefits would stop completely (apart from pip) and I'm scared about making the wrong decision. The migration process itself doesn't worry me but I just don't think it's worth the hassle. I know it would also mean I would have to pay for prescriptions and wouldn't be allowed the social tariff for broadband but I can cope with that.

So as long as I stayed in the support group it would continue indefinetly and none of my benefits would be means tested?

I have nothing to hide and no savings even anywhere near the £6k limit, but I just want to be left alone.

Ranald

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037020#Comment_1037020

Apart from the initial id visit to the job centre, plus the follow-up call (to agree that my commitments were to inform them of any changes), i have had next to no involvement with the DWP. This is from January to now.

Martinp

I’m putting off the migration process because I’m so scared about not being able to go to job centre to provide ID and I am hearing and reading about problems with not being put in the support group and getting Transitional protection when moving over. I have not had any contact with Job centre since 2009 and this whole process feels me with dread.

Ranald

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037029#Comment_1037029

I hadn't any contact since 2010, and really, i was in and out in 5 minutes.

Like with most things, you will only read about all the bad experiences.

lily84

Hi, sorry to jump in here but will contribution based Esa still continue when the new government changes goes through parliament? They talk about cb Esa being called unemployment insurance benefit and will be time limited. Most talk at the moment seem to be about pip changes and the abolishing the uc health element if I've not misunderstood, but not much is said about the long term cb Esa people. I understand Bellatangos worries and just wanting to be left alone as I am too.

chiarieds

Hi @lily84 - I've just seen a link another member gave, & can see you can download the 'Changes to benefits for disabled people' here if you click on 'Download full report.' A very quick check just now shows that CB ESA is mentioned, but I haven't had chance to read any of it yet. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10283/

I don't think that link's going to work, so you'd need to copy then paste that into your browser first.

MW123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1038029#Comment_1038029

From 2028/29, contribution based ESA and JSA will be replaced by a new benefit called Unemployment Insurance. This new benefit will only be available for a limited period (yet to be confirmed by the government), after which your payments will stop, even if you’re still unwell or unable to work.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to claim UC after your Unemployment Insurance runs out. However, if you are still sick beyond that time limit and don’t qualify for UC or PIP, you could be left without any income support under the new system.

So yes, the key concern is the time-limited nature of Unemployment Insurance, and the potential gap in support if you're unable to transition to other benefits like UC or PIP once that period ends. I think that’s why there’s been so much focus on PIP, as it will now be the gateway for receiving extra support if you're too sick to work.