Migration from Income Based ESA to UC - extremely nervous due to potential drop in income due to disability premiums being removed.

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

With the news that the migration of ESA claimants to UC is to be brought forward, I'm now extremely nervous.

I did a calculation on some site over a year ago that showed I would receive significantly less when on UC. I believe this was because the premiums that are available on ESA are not available on UC.

Currently, when in receipt of PIP, disability premiums are added to your ESA. This is a lifeline for people with high costs due to disablilty, care needs, etc.

I've read about Transitional Protection but don't understand how long this will last for.

Is anyone else in this position, of moving from Income Based ESA to UC and facing a drop in income (even if not immediately)?

If anyone can offer any insight to the Transitional Protection, I'd be really grateful, as am struggling to get my head around the whole thing.

Apologies for the cumbersome title!

Transitional Protection means you will, upon transfer to UC, receive no less than you got on legacy benefits. However your UC will not increase until the underlying entitlement has risen to match what you're getting including TP.

Like being on 'mark time' pay at work if that makes sense.

@Bromptotoo - Thank you. On the one hand it's reassuring to know that I'll be getting the same amount, but I don't know, I somehow don't trust them. That's a whole other thread.

The Housing Benefit changes too, from HB to a Housing Element. I've heard some horror stories about rent being lessened and people falling into arrears because of this.

I think I'm scared of the transition period, of being left without any money because of the changeover period. I (like many others) thought there was a few more years before this happened. The news that it's happening in/by September has thrown me into a panic.

I guess that anything the current government said about ESA and managed migration might now be back in the melting pot.

The rules for the Housing Cost Element in UC are pretty similar to Housing Benefit and subject to the same constraints under 'bedroom tax' or Local Housing Allowance.

The 5 week wait period is eased by the fact you get a 2 week run on of ESA and HB and the availability of advances under UC.

Thanks, @Bromptotoo , I appreciate your input. I guess, like everyone else, I'm just going to have to go through the process and hope for the best!

I think most people find the transition simpler and easier than they fear but if you're on ESA and getting premiums linked to PIP/DLA you're going to lose out as the TP is eaten away.

Make sure when you transition you request twice monthly payments rather than monthly.

I'm disabled and had to move over 3 years ago after a cock up with my HB. There was no problem with requesting twice monthly payments, I explained I needed it like that to budget for my carer.

@MelissaLouRocks - thank you, that's useful. Didn't realise that was possible. Do you mind me asking, if you receive any premiums, were they reflected in your transitional protection?

I used to receive EDP and SDP, but because I was moved due to change in circumstances (AKA council cock up), I received zero transitional protection. Was one hell of a shock!!

Are you in the work-related activity group or the support group?
Assume you are the only adult in your household and you get the SDP (Severe Disability Premium) hence your worries about being worse off under UC?
i suggest you contact 'Help to Claim' in the morning, they can do the calculation for you and hopefully put your mind at ease somewhat about the process.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/
(note there is no obligation to claim when you contact them, they will give you the info and you can contact them again in future if and when you need to claim)

@MelissaLouRocks - bloody hell, that's awful! I'm so sorry to hear that, that's really crap! I live in dread of something like that happening. The council cocked up my HB a couple of times many years ago before Universal Credit was in the picture - not fun, but at least I got back on track.

Just mentioning this after having a scan of the thread and I can't see it. Apologies if I've missed it and it has been mentioned

DO NOT claim UC until you've received your OFFICIAL migration notice. Why? If you were to claim without this, you will lose your transitional protection.

The migration notice will obviously be one - don't get fooled my a marketing leaflet. It'll give you a dated deadline.

@bidon - Thanks for the warning. No, I definitely won't be budging till I get the official letter - no way. I'm hanging on till the last minute!

I’m migrating over to us from esa and believe there is a 5 week wait for first payment. I know I get esa for 2 weeks but what about the 3 weeks after is this back dated along with my first uc payment. I’m worried I’m going to lose 3 weeks of money. Thank you

No it is not back dated.