WTC to UC

[thelivingdaylights]

I've had the dreaded letter telling me I'm being migrated to UC and I'm terrified. I work part time for health reasons, but had always hoped to have been able to work more by now, to have avoided this, but as I'm still languishing on several NHS waiting lists that doesn't seem likely soon.
I live with my adult working son who makes a generous contribution to the bills every month, and I receive lower level PIP on both elements, as well as pay for 16 hours a week. To be honest I'm terrified of what is going to happen. Are they going to try and force me to work more, will they want to see my medical records or bank account, will they make me go to the job centre, how long does the process take? Anyone been through it yet?

I'm guessing you earn more than £677/month?

Is that right?

As @Bromptotoo has asked, the key is whether you are earning more than £677 per month, after deductions.

If you are, then you'll be in the 'light touch' group and won't be expected to seek more work.

From next month it'll be around £730 a month.

Theoretically you are expected to earn the equivalent 35 hours at Nat Living Wage or be looking for work to meet that.

However £677 is what they call the Administrative Earnings Threshold and (assuming you're not living with a partner) then provided you earn more than that you should be OK. Just need to keep in touch with UC.

Health conditions and PIP would be a second string to your bow and, were the AET to rise further, you could seek easements based on that.

UC is actually quite straightforward. It works out how much you need to live on yourself plus rent etc and dependants if you have them - from what you say you do not. That sum, called max UC, is eroded by 55p for every £1 of earnings.

It's calculated and paid monthly with the intention it has the 'look and feel' of a salary; one lump sum on the same day every month. It tracks earnings exactly as HMRC tells UC exactly what your employer reports to them.

When you apply they'll ask you about Health Conditions but I wouldn't expect anything more intrusive in your circs. You may need show stuff to verify savings at the outset and you may need to go to the Job Centre once or twice to verify ID and prove Housing Costs if you pay rent to a private landlord.

Assuming your sufficiently IT savvy to shop or book holidays etc on line the claim process and subsequent administration are pretty straightforward. If you get stuck the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8 444 are pretty good.

Thank you, that's really helpful and makes it seem much less daunting.

I probably should have said, that I'm self employed, does that make a difference?

You will need to declare your health conditions when you apply for UC and then wait to be assessed for work capability which can take a few months in some areas depending on backlogs. Until you have been assessed I guess you may well have to go through the process of self employment checks/ showing your business is viable. They could ask you to look for more hours but this would be at work coaches discretion and should take into account your disability.
If awarded LCWRA ( limited capability for work and work related activity ) after assessment then you would have more money added to your claim but may not see much difference as I expect you will have transitional protection added and having the LCWRA element added would just erode the transitional protection. If only awarded LCW, then you would have no extra money added but would get a work allowance meaning a portion of your earnings is disregarded before earnings reduce your total UC amount.
The most important thing to do when you make your claim is to make sure all your health conditions are fully documented and you have a sick / fit note ready to hand in.

Thank you.

Unfortunately that does make a difference as the AET refers to earnings from employment.

@Babyroobs is on the right track.