Changing to UC

[candlewhickgreen]

I wonder if anyone could help please.

I've heard that anyone on legacy benefits is being moved over to UC and I'm wondering how it will effect me.

I'm on PIP and ESA support group with enhanced disability.

Will I be reassessed as I change over and will I get less money?

Thanks

Migration of ESA cases is now happening at pace. PIP is not affected.

It should be relatively straightforward but the five week wait, baked in becuase of UC being monthly, is a paid. If it looks as though you'll be worse off on UC then you'll get an additional amount every month, called a Transitional Element, to make up the difference. It doesn't increase every year but rather it's whittled away by annual increases etc.

One thing you need to be aware of with ESA and PIP is people who get the Severe Disability Premium where they 'live alone' and nobody gets Carers Allowance lose out. You get the TE mentioned above so no loss in the short term but they lose out probably more than any other claimant cohort.

If any part of your ESA is contributions based then you would continue to be paid that separately to UC but it is deducted in full from UC.
You should not need to be re-assessed on UC unless you were due a re-assessment anyway. Your support group status should mean that you automatically get the LCWRA element ( Limited capability for work and work related activity) added to your UC claim. You need to watch for this as can sometimes get missed.

Thank you both very much, much appreciated.