Should this still get paid as UC

RichardsP

Been on both contribution based and income based ESA, and the other names it was, since 1993. At the end of last year I had a P45 from ESA, no explanation or letters, calls. I called ESA where they informed me that the income based part of ESA was going to be paid by Universal Credit, and ESA were only paying the contribution based part. Since this change, UC have not paid the income based element. This has now left me short by over £120 a month. Should I still be entitled to it as permitted income as part of the mandatory payment I have always been getting?

Kimi87

There is no "income based element" of UC.

Universal Credit replaces Income Related ESA.

So instead of Income Related ESA you get LCWRA element, which is the UC equivalent of ESA Support Group. Everyone on UC also gets Standard Allowance and this factors in to calculating your UC award compared to legacy benefits.

Your income is now New Style ESA topped up by UC.

To calculate your new income, you need to add together your ESA and UC.

Emilee

What elements does your UC award statement have on it?

Mary_Scope

Hi @RichardsP and a warm welcome to the community from me!

I can see that some of our lovely members are already in the middle of giving advice and excellent information so I don't want to interrupt too much but its lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy your time on the community😊

RichardsP

Emilee, standard allowance and LCWRA, which have been present for 3 years with no increase when ESA transferred my income based part to UC.

RichardsP

Incidentally, I had my rent stopped when, without any notice, the council handed over my housing benefit to UC.

Kimi87

What was your old ESA rate, and how much Universal Credit do you get?

Universal Credit replaces 6 income related benefits including IR ESA & Housing Benefit (unless you live in supported or sheltered housing), so it is correct that Housing Benefit stopped when you applied for UC.