UC managed migration guide

There's been a lot of threads recently regarding questions for managed migration so I thought I would put together a guide and make it as easy to understand as I possible can. (if that's at all possible)

New Style ESA and old Contribution-based ESA

Those claiming New Style ESA or the old Contributions based ESA will not be migrated because neither of those are part of UC. Those claiming the old contributions based ESA will have their claim changed to New Style ESA automatically.

Mixed Claims (part Income-related and part Contribution-based)

For those that are claiming a mixture of contributions based and Income Related ESA, the contributions based will continue but it will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

2 week run on

For those claiming Income Related ESA/JSA, Income Support and housing benefit, all those will continue for 2 weeks after you claim UC and then stop.

Managed Migration

Managed migration is not an automatic process, you will need to claim UC yourself. When you do receive the letter you will have 3 months to apply. If you don't apply within this time then your existing benefits will end the day after the final date to apply. If your existing benefits end then you will not be entitled to Transitional Protection when you do eventually claim UC.

Making your claim - Living with a partner

If you're living with a partner then you will each need to start a claim. One of you will be sent a linking code to join both claims together.

Work Capability Assessment

For those that are claiming ESA then please rest assured that you will not need to go through another work capability assessment when you first claim UC. If you're advised otherwise, then this is incorrect. If you're in the Support Group you will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. LCWRA is the same as ESA Support Group.

Those that are in the WRAG for ESA will be entitled to LCW from the start of their claim. Those that started their ESA before April 2017 will also be entitled to the LCW element from the start of their UC claim.

Non-ESA claimants

For those that do not claim ESA and have a health condition that limits their capability to work, they will need to report their health condition when they claim and provide a fit note within 7 days of that. This will then start the work capability assessment process off. However, if you're currently working and receiving earnings of more than 16 x national minimum wage per week, then you can't be referred for a WCA unless you're also receiving a disability benefit such as PIP, DLA or ADP.

Savings and Capital

For those who currently claim Tax credits and have savings/capital of more than £16,000 this will be disregarded for 12 months from the start of your UC claim. However, if your capital drops below £16,000 the disregard will end. If your capital then goes above £16,000 entitlement to UC will end. For savings of between £6,000 and £16,000 then tariff income will apply and there will be a deduction for every £250 or part thereof over £6,000. TP may cover some or all of this but it will depend on the final figures.

Transistional Protection

When you do claim UC there will be Transitional protection (TP) in place to make sure you're not any worse off on the date you apply. However, this will erode over time so if other elements increase or you become entitled to other elements then the TP will decrease. Until such a time it will erode completely. Those that need to go through the work capability assessment could see the TP erode very quickly, if they are found to have LCWRA and you may not be any better off but again, it will depend on the figures. Please note that some people will actually be better off so there will be no TP.

Payment date

Once your claim is submitted your first UC payment will be 1 month and 6 days later. You can request an advance payment but this does need to be repaid back and your future payments will be reduce until it's paid back.

Council Tax reduction

Council Tax reduction isn't part of UC and this will continue from your local Authority.

I could include more but then I'm at risk of making this guide too complicated. I think I've covered the most important areas and the most common questions asked. If anyone has any questions then please do ask and either myself or someone else will happily advise you further.