Moving house this month should i wait until the benefits rise in april until i claim UC?

th1990
th1990 Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi guys i am currently on esa in support group and receive the severe disability premium. I am due to move home on the 21st to a new council area which would trigger a universal credit migration. but as i understand the benefits rise in april
would erode the transitional protection of 120 when it comes into effect.

I have already paid the rent as it needed to be upfront for the first month so i should be able to manage money until the next month. 

would i be correct in thinking that;

1- my esa claim would still continue after giving them a change of address and that i only need to put in a claim for Universal credit if i need help with rent so if i didnt need to claim housing benefit i would remain on esa.

2- when the benefits rise in april the transitional protection would remain the same at 120 so i could hold off on my claim until april and still receive the 120 along with the 10% increase to universal credit as my claim would be made after the increase.

as it stands right now a claim made earlier than april would put me at a loss of 100 a month with the transitional protection and the benefit increase would only decrease the tranistional amount from 120 to 50 making me no better off. would holding off for a month be the better choice or would this cause problems for me?

many thanks guys 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    As advised on your other thread here https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/102938/moving-to-uc-from-esa-and-worried-about-reassessment#latest you’re definitely better off claiming UC after the April increase.

    Moving house isn’t classed as a change of circumstances that prompts a move to UC so you don’t need to claim straight away. It’s only classed as a change if you need to claim help with the rent. 
  • th1990
    th1990 Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    edited March 2023
    @poppy123456 thanks! i feel like i should of just posted in the previous thread as your response time is impressive! i was just making sure i was understanding the advice you gave yesterday as i think i should be ok to hold off on the claim if i dont have to worry about the change of address being an issue and if it meant i would still see the benefit rise along with the same rate tp. seriously thanks flr the advice poppy. sorry if i seem annoying with the questions here lol 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Yes it would have been easier to just as the question on your other thread. 

    You’re not annoying, just have some questions that need answering. 

    As you’re not moving until 21st it would be a shame to lose out on the increase for the sake of a few weeks. 

    Please also be aware that when you do claim UC it will be 1 month and 6 days before you receive your first payment. You can ask for an advance payment but this needs to be repaid back and will reduce future UC payments. 

    ESA continues for 2 weeks once you claim UC. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited March 2023
    Remember too that the benefit increase is from 10th April so don’t claim UC until after that date.
    https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/date-rate-changes-take-effect

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