Best date to claim universal credit??

[flirtygirl]

Hi all,
I currently get tax credits for my disabled daughter but she turns 20 next month so will lose tax credits and Child benefit for her.

She is 20 the 27th Jan and the last tax credit payment will be received 7th jan, the last cb payment is 22nd Jan.

She gets pip which will continue and will receive that 15th Jan. She will claim esa and UC but what is the best date to claim?

I read so much on UC but it seems to pay you differently depending on when you make your claim.
Thank you.

She wont be claiming ESA, just UC. The only reason it really matter when you claim is if you have earnings which I assume she doesn't. So I would just claim after the last tax credit payment and hope the tax credits stop straightaway and you don't end up with an overpayment. UC is based on any earnings reported by HMRC during your monthly assessment period and therefore if you are earning and for example lose your job it is best to claim after you have been paid your last wages otherwise they are taken into account and reduce your amount. Otherwise if you have no earnings it doesn't matter. Your daughter will need to hand sick notes in as soon as she starts her Uc claim in order to be assessed for Limited capability for work. This is the elment of UC that will get her extra money above the basic element to help with being unable to work. if awarded LCWRA element ( Limited capability for work and work related activity ) then it will be an extra £328 per month on top of the basic under 25 rate.

Just to add when she is awarded the LCWRA element ( assuming they find her not fit for work) this extra £328 would only be backdated to the fourth UC assessment period after she started handing in sick notes. This has always been the same for ESA, there has always been a waiting / assessment period.

Thank you Babyroobs. I will do the claim after the last tax credit payment. I have 3rd party authority from dwp for her. Will also get sicknotes.