Moved from income related ESA to UC but now put now New style ESA
I got a letter saying that my contribution based ESA (I was income related ESA) was being replaced with the new style ESA and I have never worked before, it's saying my work coach (I don't even have a work coach) will help me complete the claim which haven't even started. Can someone elaborate please
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Please read through this thread for an explanation and reassurance:
The old Incapacity Benefit, and ESA (at the beginning) had special Youth Rules that allowed claims even without working, so that's where your entitlement to a CB benefit came from.
The up to date figures are £281.10 a fortnight and £609.05 deducted from UC. ESA is s weekly benefit, UC monthly and there are 4.3 weeks in a month.
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Hi @kezwals and a warm welcome to the community
I see Kimi has already advised an given some great advice so I won't add anything new today but its lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy your time on the community😀0 -
Yes thank you, I called them and was waiting for over a hour on hold, what a joke
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You are right kimi
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my son is in the exact Situation he went on incapacity benefit 22 y ago aged 16 under youth rules. that became ESA. He has never paid any NI. In all the years of ESA it has only ever been called income related / support group with enhanced disability premium. There has been no mention anywhere of contribution based element. He is being migrated. Approves for uc last week. Got a letter today to say he is on new esa - fortnightly payments for the contributory elements and will get UC for income related elements - as yet an unknown amount & Monthly - and they will deduct the new esa from that. The only good point is esa remains fortnightly.
I do wonder if this split places him at any disadvantage - anyone know? Thanks0 -
Incapacity Benefit converted into CB ESA, with an IR top up where applicable.
I am also now a dual claim after first claiming Incapacity Benefit under the youth rules.
As a non means tested benefit, it's possible in future he may need to pay more Council Tax (if liable) due to a lower award of Council Tax Reduction - the rules for CTR are set locally and vary a great deal.
Some areas treat 100% UC awards differently to legacy benefits and people have to pay more.
You can see why it's really hard to advise on individual cases from here!
For me with my CTR unaffected, there are no disadvantages.
As NS ESA isn't means tested (they are only interested in pension income), it would be beneficial in the following scenarios:
He has a change of circumstances such as an inheritance, which sees his UC end.
Later, having reduced capital to make him eligible for UC again, he can be awarded LCWRA automatically due to the existing NS ESA award which remained in payment.
He moves in with a partner who earns an amount making the couple ineligible for UC. His NS ESA would continue to be paid. As above, if circumstances later changed, LCWRA element eligibility is retained.
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Thanks to @Kimi87 - Son lives with us (elderly parents) rent free obviously. So no claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax (as we have 3 other adults here) - not likely to be part of a couple in the near future. He has some savings but nothing that exceeds the IR ESA limit.
I am hoping that the amounts for the combination of NS ESA and UC will equal the amount he is currently getting - made up of Living Expenses + Support Group - Enhanced Disability Premium (DESCRIBED AS Disability Income Guarantee on 25-26 rate increase letter).
A friend's son (exact same needs/award is migrating direct into UC). He is expecting the 400.14 single person over 25 and then disability elements of 423.00 approx. This is more than when he was on old ESA support group.
I am told we must wait until 3 days before UC payment before we can be told what my son's entitlement is. Seems very unfair.
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UC is paid a month in arrears.
Each payment is based on circumstances for the previous calender month (30 days).
The payment cycle is different to legacy benefits and does take some getting used too.
The statement is often available 1-2 days before the due date, but this isn't guaranteed.
Those migrating to UC from ESA Support Group, with no Severe Disability Premium, are better off on UC.
Previous monthly equivalent of ESA, approximately £700.
UC Standard Allowance +LCWRA = 823.41.
Your son will get the above, but with a £609.05 deduction for the New Style ESA (NS ESA is a weekly benefit and there are 4.3 weeks in a month).
So his monthly income will be £609.05 NS ESA, topped up by £214.36 UC.
Equals £823.41.
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Thanks so much @Kimi87 - He was getting what I was told was enhanced disability premium in old ESA - not sure if that would count - we shall wait and see,
Thanks so much - I was worried he would be worse off. He now has to fund all his support staff expenses when they support him (DP account for hours etc) - so didn't want him to be struggling. I do feel the DWP could advise the rates people should expect - once the migration begins / UC claim activated. I wonder how anyone with a lot of financial commitments must feel at these times.
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Enhanced Disability Premium is different to Severe Disability Premium.
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