I've received both UC and ESA, even though I've been transferred over to UC...

Craig24795
Craig24795 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected

Hi.

I was told that income related ESA was ending and that I was to be transferred to UC. I went into the job centre well over a month ago to prove my identity. I was told via a letter from ESA (dated 24/02/25) that my last payment of ESA would cover the period of 05/02/25 to 18/02/25. I assumed that my last payment would be two weeks ago. I used to receive £318.10 every two weeks from ESA (£636.20 a month) and I was in the support group.

I was told that my first UC payment would begin today (which it has) and that I didn't need to do anything. UC told me via the journal that everything would be sorted automatically.

This is what I'll be getting every month from UC:

Standard Allowance (You get a standard allowance: You said you're single): £393.45

Limited capability for work and work-related activity (You said your health affects you at work or prevents you from working): £416.19

Transitional Protection (Your universal credit claim is not less than your previous benefits, so we have not added an extra payment): £0.00

Total entitlement before deductions: £809.64

What we take off (deductions)

As you received benefits you were not entitled to:

Employment and Support Allowance (-£20.85)

Your payment this month was £788

What do they mean 'not entitled to'? I was on income related ESA and have been transferred to UC.

Also, today (the first day of my first ever UC payment) I also received a payment from ESA of £276.40 (it would usually be £318.10 every two weeks). I don't know why I'm receiving anything from them at all.

I was told that all of this would be done automatically. It's causing me a lot of confusion and stress. What should I do?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Craig24795
    Craig24795 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected

    I should also note that I received a letter (24/02/25) from ESA stating that my contribution based ESA will change to New Style ESA from 19/02/25.

    It says in the letter that I'll be contacted to book an appointment that I must attend. It says I'll need to agree to a 'claimant commitment'. It says I must agree to this to continue to get New Style ESA.

    The letter states that my income related ESA will end 18/02/25 because UC is replacing the income related ESA that I've been receiving.

    It states that my final payment will cover the period of 05/02/25 to 18/02/25.

    What is this payment of £276.40? Is it related to this? I haven't yet been contacted about a claimant commitment, so I assume it isn't.

    Any help and clarity would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 4,593 Championing

    I'd suggest there was a small overpayment of IR ESA which explains the £20 odd deduction.

    This thread should answer your other questions, please read in full by clicking on "view post":

  • Craig24795
    Craig24795 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected

    Hi.

    I assume that I don't have to do anything?

    Will they contact me to complete the claimant commitment for new style ESA? That's what it says in the letter I've received.

    Will the £276.40 (contribution based ESA) that is paid twice a week be deducted from my UC payment next month? How exactly does this work?

    Thank you.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 4,593 Championing
    edited March 11

    You don't have to do anything.

    Yes they will contact you for the Claimant Commitment appoint.

    Every fortnight you will receive £276.40 in ESA (the amount will go up to £140.55 in April).

    Each month you will have £598.86 deducted from UC (£609.05 April onwards). This looks more than you receive but is correct as ESA is a weekly benefit and there are 4.3 weeks in a month.

  • Angel59
    Angel59 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Connected

    Sorry I still getting confused so how much a month will I get from universal credit i know I keep my contribution based e s a fortnightly but still getting confused on universal credit part