Universal Credit Bank Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

I am puzzled by advice from Leeds Welfare Rights.

I still do not understand given my migration to UC,

how long transitional protection lasts?

Will I lose my ESA, DP SDP because of the UC PIP Bill recently passed?

Milan Ghosh.

On Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 02:40:29 PM GMT+1, Welfare Rights <welfare.rights@leeds .gov.uk> wrote:

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email.

The amount of Transitional Protection that someone receives differs depending on their circumstances when they migrate to Universal Credit. The aim of Transitional Protection is to make sure that the amount of Universal Credit you receive (at the point of migration) is the same as the amount of ESA and Housing Benefit that you received prior to migration.

Like wise the length of time that the Transitional Protection will last, and how much it decreases by over time,  will depend on the type of circumstances each person has when they migrate to Universal Credit and if they have any change of circumstances (depending on the type of change) after claiming Universal Credit.

There is no set way of working out how long your individual Transitional Protection will last because we do not know what or if any changes of circumstance you will have.

The only online link we are aware of that explains this is the DWP link: Transitional protection if you receive a Migration Notice letter - GOV.UK.

Thank you for your enquiry

Regards

Shefda Cattermoul

Welfare Rights Worker

Welfare Rights Unit | Leeds City Council

2.With my change of address, I was evicted from my previous flat due to it being sold and the landlord wanting to renovate all the flats. I left on good terms with no rent being owed. I have been lucky enough that my parents have bought a house and gifted it to me, with it being in my name. Am I right in thinking that as I live in the house it doesn't count as capital? no one else lives with me and I obviously won't have housing element to claim for only council tax reduction.
They sent me a couple of payments to my account for 350 and 385 for solicitors fees and a survey but it can clearly be seen as payed for on my card for those transactions. They don't send or give me money for anything else

4.I got UC, Housing benefit, LCWRA & PIP. I had a standing order for my rent I only have 3 direct debits for internet and 2 credit cards, so I get a £3 monthly reward from my account. I use cash to pay for everything else or my credit cards occasionally. I take out £500 on the day of my bigger UC payment then £500 a week later. But some weeks I take out £500 on consecutive days instead, so it's not regular when i take cash out.
Am I going to be questioned on everything that I spend it on ? as I don't have the receipts for anything
Also would they say I would have to keep receipts of large purchases in the future ? as I have not a record of them as opposed to paying by card where it would be recorded