Jus feels wrong. Can I appeal this? Losing transitional protection, moving from Wales to England

Holliepurple
Holliepurple Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited April 25 in Benefits and income

Hi, I have just been on the phone to the U?/C helpline and was told to send a journal entry to my case manager to explain the situation as soon as possible. I have just migrated from ESA where I received the Severe Disability Premium. This has been brought over to U/C as a transitional payment. However I am about to move o England from Wales on the 1st April, as the rents are higher in the area I am moving to then the housing allowance is higher. It is my understanding that this will probably wipe out my transitional payment. What I am struggling to understand is why that should be the case. Especially as I have no choice but to move to England. I am moving because of serious health difficulties for which there is not the specialist knowledge available and there is not the means of treating me or facilitating me accessing these things whilst living in Wales. It may sound drastic and the Welsh Health board would not admit to it officially but it has been made very clear to me, that, if I were to stay in Wales then my lifespan would be significantly shorter, (as in I likely would not have long left). As it is I have had to rely on gits from family and close friends to facilitate this move in the first place and my financial situation will be no better for the move, infact I will likely be worse off because of the higher cost of living in the area. A substantial amount of my income still goes towards costs related to my health conditions and disability. If the transitional payment is wiped out by the higher housing costs then my ability to manage financially will be severely affected and likely impossible. Is there anything that can be done to help me in this situation, especially considering it is no fault of my own and that I have been left with little choice in the matter? Thank you for your time.

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,243 Championing
    edited April 16

    Unfortunately those are the rules and you won't have any grounds for appeal.

    Transitional Protection is added if your total UC award is lower than legacy benefits so you aren't worse off, at the time of transfer.

    TP erodes over time as any other element rises or new elements are added.

    As your Housing Element is increasing, it's correct that your TP will reduce.

  • mix_dage
    mix_dage Online Community Member Posts: 67 Contributor

    Hi @Holliepurple,

    I'm unable to read your post in its current form, hopefully @Holly_Scope can help

  • Holliepurple
    Holliepurple Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    . I have just migrated from ESA where I received the Severe Disability Premium. This has been brought over to U/C as a transitional payment. However I am about to move o England from Wales on the 1st April, as the rents are higher in the area I am moving to then the housing allowance is higher. It is my understanding that this will probably wipe out my transitional payment. What I am struggling to understand is why that should be the case. Especially as (and this is what the helpline wanted me to explain specifically) I have no choice but to move to England. I am moving because of serious health difficulties for which there is not the specialist knowledge available and there is not the means of treating me or facilitating me accessing these things whilst living in Wales. It may sound drastic and the Welsh Health board would not admit to it officially ut it has been made very clear to me, that, if I were to stay in Wales then my lifespan would be significantly shorter, (as in I likely would not have long left). As it is I have had to rely on gits from family and close friends to facilitate this move in the first place and my financial situation will be no better for the move, infact I will likely be worse off because of the higher cost of living in the area. A substantial amount of my income still goes towards costs related to my health conditions and disability. If the transitional payment is wiped out by the higher housing costs then my ability to manage financially will be severely affected and likely impossible. Is there anything that can be done to help me in this situation, especially considering it is no fault of my own and that I have been left with little choice in the matter? Thank you for your time.

    *please note, I have actually just moved (less than 2 months after having to migrate to universal credit) they have stripped me of the transitional payment. I am now over £200 worse off a month and I was only just managing before. I now have higher costs here and less money coming in.

    U say its the rules and I understand that, but that doesn't mean it is right to do such a thing. The payment was towards my severe disability, deemed by esa to be needed. Nothing has changed medically so if I needed it then, then why, when I have had to move in order to stay alive, why should I not need it now!?

    I was told by one UC staff on the phone that I could appeal it and that may have a better outcome.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,243 Championing
    edited April 16

    UC staff are known to give poor advice.

    You could speak to a trained benefits advisor:

    https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

    The rules for UC are different than ESA. I claim UC and was awarded PIP last year. Under ESA I would have qualified myself for SDP but UC don't pay any disability premiums.