Legacy Benefit ESA to UC

S468

Hi there - I have a quick query about the migration from legacy benefits to UC. I am on ESA in the support group and like a lot of people I am concerned about when I will be asked to transfer over to UC. Whilst I know that this could take until 2024, is there a particular order in which they are transferring people or is it random?

Also I was advised to check whether I would be better or worse off by using benefits calculators. As I have never used one before how would I know if I was either way. Would it tell you how much you would get on UC and then I would need to compare it to my current ESA? 

Finally is there a specific benefits calculator you would recommend?

Thank you 

poppy123456

No one can tell you exactly when you’ll be invited to apply. 

When you do claim UC if you’re claiming ESA and you’re in the Support Group you’ll be entitled to the LCWRA from the start of your claim.
At the moment, if your ESA doesn’t include SDP then LCWRA for UC pays more per month.
If your ESA includes the SDP then you will be worse off if you claim UC unless it’s through managed migration. 

I always find this benefit calculator reliable but as always, it will depend on the information you put into it. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=8ebe5fbe-f598-4eb6-9fcf-d0caae815ed4

Biblioklept

Entitledto is good. I also like the Policy in Practice 'Better off' calculator

calcotti

Biblioklept said:

Entitledto is good. I also like the Policy in Practice 'Better off' calculator

In the past I have found the PiP one to be less accurate.

Biblioklept

Oh that's a shame it's my favourite by far. I've never understood how some of the calculators get it so wrong. In the earlier days of UC entitled to was very very off when working out UC for me which is why I started looking at others. 

Biblioklept

Oooh I didn't know they worked on the creation of UC. Sorry I won't recommend them again and thanks both you and @calcotti for correcting me on doing so

Sue_Alumni

Hello @S468
As I understand the position the UC migration process is in its infancy with Migration Notices being sent to about five hundred claimants in the Medway and Bolton areas. I don't know how these areas were selected. 
First UC forced migration notices sent to claimants in Bolton and Medway (benefitsandwork.co.uk)

As you know, for now, you have a choice as to whether or not to claim UC.  A benefits calculator can be a useful starting point but, as the other community members have said, a benefits calculator will not give the full picture and even though you may be financially  better off under UC there are other factors to be taken into account. This is a really useful guide which reiterates what the others have said. 
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/what-benefits-am-i-better-off/ 

S468

Thank you @poppy123456 @Biblioklept @calcotti @Sue_Scope for all your useful information. It is much appreciated.