Universal credit in the news

[FishesThatFly]

Just watched the news and UC was being slated as usual!!

However I'm hearing conflicting news - some papers are reporting that it will be put on hold whilst issues are sorted, but others are saying it will continue to be rolled out.

I haven't transitioned over yet so I'm just wondering how long l have till l do.

The benefits affected are income support, housing benefit, working tax credit, child tax credit, income related job seekers allowance and income related employment and support allowance.

Currently there is no transfer for all claimants. Even in full service universal credit areas you only transfer when your circumstances change.

You can find out the current status of your area on entitled to website. They also have a table of the triggers for a change to universal credit.

If you have three or more children you stay on old benefits even if your circumstances change and you are in a full service universal credit area.

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Pilot

The three children rule is due to change in February 2019.

I currently claim CTC and WTC for two children. I work 18hrs/wk.

My concern is that ds1 turns 16 next yr and l currently get disability premium for him which will cease as his DLA will also stop.

I can't see from the examples given on the link whether this would trigger a switch to UC

It shouldn't. You wouldn't be making any 'fresh' claims.

Thankyou. It's all so worrying.

I'm in a catch 22 in that ds1 is highly unlikely to get PIP as not deemed "severe" enough but l equally can't leave him as you would a NT 15yr old, and increase hrs at work.

My concern is that ds1 turns 16 next yr and l currently get disability premium for him which will cease as his DLA will also stop.

I went through the same and it didn’t change.

DLA stopping will mean you need to apply for PIP instead. This will not trigger a move to UC. The managed migration has been put back currently but area still continue to go over to UC meaning new claims or a relevant change in circumstances mean people will go onto it, but unless you need to make a new claim for one of the benefits which Uc replaces or you have a change in circumstances which means you need to go onto UC ( such as a relationship break up ) then you will stay as you are.

I wonder how the budget changes might help with UC, in terms of the increased work allowances. Says might help by £630 a year, but then some families are meant to lose around £2500 a year I saw as well.