Final EESA Payment 11th Dec

MrHappy

11th December i received my final EESA payment and i have no idea when i will receive my first UC payment. Reading through the forum it could be 5 or 6 weeks? i hope it isn't going to be any longer than that because i'm already very nearly broke. I read its possible to apply for a loan to tide me over until i receive my first UC payment but i cannot cope with the stress i will definitely feel applying for stuff so i guess i'll just have to bide my time and wait for my first UC payment whenever that may be. Its also worrying that i have no idea how much i will receive with UC compared to my EESA because i've read some horror stories confirming some people receive less than their legacy benefits when switching to UC. And finally i also have no idea if my housing benefit is still paying my rent. I do not understand benefits at all and the compulsory switch from EESA to UC has been incredibly stressful for me.

Kimi87

You should receive your first payment around 5 weeks after your application date, which should be about 3 weeks after your last ESA payment.

If you ring the UC helpline they will be able to confirm your payment date.

If your UC award is lower than legacy benefits, Transitional Protection will be added to your claim ensuring you aren't worse off at the time of transfer. This will erode over time as other elements go up or new elements are added to your award.

Most people who end up worse off actually are talking about things like Council Tax Reduction. CTR is decided on at a local level and each local authority has different rules for this, some areas treat UC differently to legacy benefits.

Some people actually end up better off- those migrating from ESA Support Group without Severe Disability Premium as an example.

You can try a benefits calculator to estimate your award.

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

If you need assistance with the calculator, Citizens Advice offer a Help to Claim service, they can support you before during and after your claim up until checking the first payment is correct. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

Unless you live in supported or sheltered accommodation, your Housing Benefit will have ended once you applied for UC. Your rent will be paid via Housing Element under Universal Credit.

The money will come to you with each monthly payment, unless you've requested it gets paid directly to LL.

MrHappy

Thank you Kimi87 for your very detailed comment.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/140756/final-eesa-payment-11th-dec

I felt the same i was terrified but it went so smoothly as kimi said will be 3 weeks after last esa payments you can ask for a loan and payback over time I requested rent to my landlord first month I recieved rent second month went straight to my landlord