Hi, my name is phoenixxx! I'm not sure if SDP will be protected

phoenixxx

I have just moved into my own place after being homeless for some time. I was awarded PIP earlier this year and now that I have my own address this has triggered Severe Disability Premium. I need to claim Universal Credit to have my rent covered. I am not sure if the SDP will be protected if my claim for UC is from the same day that the SDP was awarded.
Has anyone been in this position and can advise?

Alex_Alumni

Hello and welcome @phoenixxx thanks for joining the community, it's great to hear from you

I've had a look on Citizens Advice, which explains what happens when you claim UC and you also have SDP:

You can claim Universal Credit even if you were getting, or recently stopped getting, a benefit with a severe disability premium (SDP).

You might get an extra amount in your Universal Credit - this is called the ‘transitional element’.

You’ll get the extra amount if you apply for Universal Credit within a month after you stop getting the benefit with the SDP.

You can’t get the extra amount if you:

• were only getting the SDP with Housing Benefit

• move in with a partner who is claiming Universal Credit

Before 27 January 2021, you couldn’t claim Universal Credit if you were getting, or recently stopped getting, a benefit with an SDP.

If you applied for Universal Credit before 27 January 2021, talk to an adviser to check what you’re entitled to.

I'll look into it a bit more for you, in case what I've found doesn't make sense, was the SDP for housing benefit?

Alex

phoenixxx

 No the SDP was not with Housing Benefit, I was getting ESA and was awarded  PIP a few months ago when I had no fixed abode. Very recently I have got my own place where I live on my own.  Nobody gets carer's allowance for me. This triggered the payment of SDP.
I just want to know if my claim for UC can be made from the same date as the SDP was awarded, which was the date my tenancy began, or if that would affect the SDP.

poppy123456

To claim for help with the rent you will need to claim UC unless you’re living in either supported or temporary housing. 

A claim for UC will end any Income Related ESA you’re receiving. This would then end your SDP. 

Any contributions based ESA will continue.

When you claim UC you will be entitled to the SDP transitional protection in with your maximum UC entitlement.(providing the SDP has been awarded with your ESA)
If you’re in the Support Group for ESA then you will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. 

Do be aware that the SDP transitional protection erodes over time so if other elements increase the SDP decreases. 

If you’re privately renting you will need a tenancy agreement to claim for help with the rent. 

phoenixxx

Thank you.  My main query is  whether claiming UC from the same date that my SDP was awarded would mean I would lose the Transitional protection as I was not getting the SDP before that date.

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @phoenixxx. Thanks for being really clear and clarifying your query. Unfortunately, UC is not an area of my expertise.

I am hoping someone with more knowledge in this area can respond to you soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to respond to let you know we hear you and are here for you 

poppy123456

phoenixxx said:

Thank you.  My main query is  whether claiming UC from the same date that my SDP was awarded would mean I would lose the Transitional protection as I was not getting the SDP before that date.

Providing the SDP is in payment before you claim UC then yes, you'll be entitled to the SDP TP.

L_Volunteer said:

I am hoping someone with more knowledge in this area can respond to you soon.

I did respond, with advice.

phoenixxx

Thank you for the advice.
 I am still concerned because I have already been awarded the SDP from the date of the start of my tenancy, a week ago. I need to apply for UC to cover my rent but have not yet made the claim.
If my application for UC is from the exact same date as the date of being awarded SDP would that be seen as my not having SDP before the claim and therefore not eligible for the transitional protection.

poppy123456

phoenixxx said:

Thank you for the advice.
 I am still concerned because I have already been awarded the SDP from the date of the start of my tenancy, a week ago. I need to apply for UC to cover my rent but have not yet made the claim.
If my application for UC is from the exact same date as the date of being awarded SDP would that be seen as my not having SDP before the claim and therefore not eligible for the transitional protection.

UC can only be backdated in the most extreme circumstances, for example if you were in hospital. 

The date submit your claim for UC will be the start of your claim. As SDP is already in payment you will be entitled to the SDP TP. 

When you claim UC your ESA will continue for 2 weeks. If any part of it is contributions based, this will continue and be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. 

Once you’ve claimed your first payment will be 1 month and 6 days later.

phoenixxx

Thanks to all who have helped. Good to know that UC will begin from the date of the claim. I have now been able to speak to Citizens Advice on the phone and got the good advice to ask for a letter confirming my SDP before making the UC claim. I've done that and I'm hoping all will go smoothly now. 

Alex_Alumni

I'm glad the community could help @phoenixxx and thanks for updating us all

We're keeping fingers crossed for you, let us know how things go!