Better off on UC?

[Orangeblossom1976]

I've been so stressed about the change to UC...(on tax credits just now) so did an online calculator to see and it seems to say we would get quite a bit. Confused, as it's more than with tax credits. The calculator seems to add of different elements for e.g. being in SG of ESA, (me) having two children, being on a low-ish income, and we have no housing costs so seems that gives you a higher amount as well. Anyway, I was suprised, is this right or has the calculator got it wrong? and if you have the transitional protection, what about if the amount is higher on UC, do you get that or the original part as with tax credits? Thanks.

I am confused aswell because doing the calculator it has told us we would be better off, and I have made the change to UC. So I'm now waiting to go for the interview etc. I think it is good because at least payments will change inline with wages so I can now pick more hours up without the fear of a big overpayment.

I think that if you work etc it seems to be working in people's favour more than the people who aren't is the impression I have got x

@Lovelife12345 OP isn't working if they are in support group ESA.

I don't know, because I don't claim anything, but I had heard that single parents and the most vulnerable will in the main be less well off because of UC.

Firstly don't trust the calculators ! They are often inaccurate. If you are in the SG of ESA then you should get the LCWRA element of Uc automatically added but it can take some time to do this and depending when your last ESA work capability assessment was you may need to have another. If you don't claim a rent element on UC then if one of you is working you get a higher work allowance which means that the first £409 of your wages are disregarded before wages start to reduce your total Uc amount. Do you have a working partner?

Just to add - unless you have a relevant change of circumstances which mean you need to switch to Uc then it could be years away. they are starting managed migration in July 2019 but it has mostly been put back because there are so many problems with UC. It could literally be years before you are switched.

DH is working, I am in support group ESA and is a family claim.

He is self employed so may have MIF but unsure if that is affected by my benefits, perhaps.

Fingers crossed it could be years, still don;t trust it and the MIF as well. Thanks for replies

THE MIF can be tricky because they can treat you as if you earn 35 x minimum wage even if you don't. if you were to get the LCWRA element of Uc ( which is an extra £328 per month) then his wages would reduce your whole Uc total so in that respect the additional element that you get for being in the support group is reduced by his earnings ( or what they assume him to be earning ). Hope that makes sense, Uc is complex. if you are on PIP then that is not really affected by UC except in that it may work in your favour as your partner would be able to claim the cares element ( worth £156 per month) even if he doesn't claim carers allowance as long as he is caring for you for 35 hours a week still.

Babyroobs - but if OP is getting contribution based ESA then husband's earnings won't affect it, cont based ESA won't be replaced by UC? I think! It is very confusing.

Oh, hang on I think I misunderstood what you were saying Babyroobs. Ignore me!

anchovy - Yes sorry if she is getting contributions based ( which she will be) then that continues to be paid separately and then gets deducted from UC pound for pound. However if she is in the support group she should still get the £328 LCWRA element of UC added into their calculation.

Yes, it is cont based ESA. How it works atm is that is taken as income in the tax credits calculation and I understand this also happens with UC..reducing the UC payment for the ESA and it is called 'new style ESA'. We'll see. Not keen on having extra WCA interviews etc so if DH's work picks up at change over to UC might possibly be able to keep my cont based ESA and possibly PIP and avoid UC altogether...

What I would like to try and do is if could possibly work 16 hrs would be eligible for working disability element of tax credits, and come off the ESA but unsure how that would work when UC comes in.

PP are right that the online calculators struggle when someone is on contribution based benefits as well as UC. I volunteer at CAB and am beginning to get to grips with it.
Also I'm pretty sure the rules for managed migration haven't been completely set yet, and the process such as the long wait for initial payment are changing a bit.

Try not to get stressed. Not all changes in circumstances triggers a UC. The link below takes yoj to a table of the current rules on changes. If there is going to be a change that triggers then I suggest visiting your local CAB or welfare rights when that is going to happen.

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes_that_trigger_Universal_Credit

Ok I see, maybe it is including the ESA in the Uc calculation which might explain why it seems higher than tax credits (which is extra to the ESA just now) that might explain things. It all seems so complicated. Also we have the MIF to deal with with husband's work. Going through a PIP appeal just now so thought of UC as well is too much to deal with as well really.

Also, yes found the tax credits helpline / chat service quite good for asking about anything which might trigger a change. They seem more helpful than DWP.

I understand the first migration isn't happening till June this year but is there anyway of finding out which areas will be first?
So worried about being transferred over.

Twelve - I don't think they have released any details yet of how they will do the managed migration, it will be a mammoth task and will probably descend into chaos which is why it keeps being put back.

I heard it will not be happening till Nov 2020

Orangeblossom
Where did you hear that? I keep reading up as much as I can online and haven't seen that.

I wouldn't rely too much on TC advising triggers of change. I called them two weeks ago asking for advice on my circumstances and it they changed would it then trigger a move to UC...I was told that I would be fine on TC and not to worry. Called up Wednesday, updated circumstances, claim closed advised to apply for UC. So far I have uploaded all my info and have an interview Thursday, but my AP has been approved, fingers crossed!!

I read that the planned migration will still start next July, but only for about 10,000 experimental claimants. The rest will begin to be migrated from Nov 2020. Fingers crossed none of us get chosen as guinea pigs!