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Moving to universal credit?
- spaceinvader
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5 years 4 months ago #242185 by spaceinvader
Moving to universal credit? was created by spaceinvader
Hi all,
I am currently living with my parents but have the opportunity for a council house in January.
Was told today that I will have to claim UC as that is how housing benefit is paid (which I will need to claim).
I am currently receiving PIP, child tax credit, ESA (support group) and child benefit.
I am really worried that if I claim UC my total amount I recieve at present will be reduced. Is this correct?
Also, the 5/6 week wait is a big worry.
The housing officer said that once I complete the online UC application and press send, all my present benefits i receive will stop until UC is awarded?
Also, I recieved a letter a while ago from DWP saying that I was entitled to the disability premium. I explained I was living with my parents so was told I was therefore not entitled to it, but that when I had moved out I would be and so to ring them.
If I am therefore entitled to claim that extra payment when I move out, will I still need to claim for UC or will that make me exempt?
Sorry for all the questions. My mind is whirling and the internet throws up horror story after horror story about UC
Kindest thanks,
Catherine
I am currently living with my parents but have the opportunity for a council house in January.
Was told today that I will have to claim UC as that is how housing benefit is paid (which I will need to claim).
I am currently receiving PIP, child tax credit, ESA (support group) and child benefit.
I am really worried that if I claim UC my total amount I recieve at present will be reduced. Is this correct?
Also, the 5/6 week wait is a big worry.
The housing officer said that once I complete the online UC application and press send, all my present benefits i receive will stop until UC is awarded?
Also, I recieved a letter a while ago from DWP saying that I was entitled to the disability premium. I explained I was living with my parents so was told I was therefore not entitled to it, but that when I had moved out I would be and so to ring them.
If I am therefore entitled to claim that extra payment when I move out, will I still need to claim for UC or will that make me exempt?
Sorry for all the questions. My mind is whirling and the internet throws up horror story after horror story about UC
Kindest thanks,
Catherine
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- Gordon
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5 years 4 months ago #242193 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Moving to universal credit?
spaceinvader
There is no reason why you should receive less with UC, in fact, the LCWRA rate (SG) for UC is actually higher under UC than ESA.
That said, if you intend to live alone then it would appear that you would receive the Severe Disability Premium and this would mean that you would be better off with ESA and HB than just UC. I would put your information into one of the online benefit calculators to see which is the best option.
www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
There appears to be a lot of confusion at the moment over whether a claimant just needs to be eligible for the SD Premium or actually entitled to payment so the safest things for you to do is for you to move into the new property and get the Premium added to your ESA, then make a claim for Housing Benefit, the SD Premium bars you from claiming UC.
Gordon
There is no reason why you should receive less with UC, in fact, the LCWRA rate (SG) for UC is actually higher under UC than ESA.
That said, if you intend to live alone then it would appear that you would receive the Severe Disability Premium and this would mean that you would be better off with ESA and HB than just UC. I would put your information into one of the online benefit calculators to see which is the best option.
www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
There appears to be a lot of confusion at the moment over whether a claimant just needs to be eligible for the SD Premium or actually entitled to payment so the safest things for you to do is for you to move into the new property and get the Premium added to your ESA, then make a claim for Housing Benefit, the SD Premium bars you from claiming UC.
Gordon
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- spaceinvader
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5 years 4 months ago #242200 by spaceinvader
Replied by spaceinvader on topic Moving to universal credit?
Thank you for the swift response Gordon.
I tried to explain the SDP to the housing officer, but she said as soon as I've had my next ESA payment (Christmas eve) then to apply for UC as when I am offered the house in January, I need to have it in place.
I will call her tomorrow and try to explain it a bit better to her.
Thank you.
I tried to explain the SDP to the housing officer, but she said as soon as I've had my next ESA payment (Christmas eve) then to apply for UC as when I am offered the house in January, I need to have it in place.
I will call her tomorrow and try to explain it a bit better to her.
Thank you.
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- Gordon
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5 years 4 months ago #242202 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Moving to universal credit?
spaceinvader
It may be a prerequisite for the housing that you already have an HB claim.
If you claim UC then there are very limited circumstances where you would be able to return to ESA, as the SDP would not have been in payment before you made the UC then you probably won't qualify for any of the compensation for this with UC.
Gordon
It may be a prerequisite for the housing that you already have an HB claim.
If you claim UC then there are very limited circumstances where you would be able to return to ESA, as the SDP would not have been in payment before you made the UC then you probably won't qualify for any of the compensation for this with UC.
Gordon
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- Gary
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5 years 4 months ago #242206 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Moving to universal credit?
Hi spaceinvader
I would agree with Gordon, I have done a number of these recently with clients and I have come across a lot of poor advice. Providing you fit the criteria and no one claims carers allowance for you then it is quite simple to do, you can apply for SDP by contacting ESA helpline.
Do you apply for HB before you get SDP or afterwards? that is the 6 million dollar question and you could argue either way. I personally would try to do both in the same week/day, apply for SDP and HB.
If you do not apply for SDP then your only option would be to apply for UC to get the housing element but you would then not be eligible to claim SDP, once you are on UC you will not be able to go back on to legacy benefits.
Gary
I would agree with Gordon, I have done a number of these recently with clients and I have come across a lot of poor advice. Providing you fit the criteria and no one claims carers allowance for you then it is quite simple to do, you can apply for SDP by contacting ESA helpline.
Do you apply for HB before you get SDP or afterwards? that is the 6 million dollar question and you could argue either way. I personally would try to do both in the same week/day, apply for SDP and HB.
If you do not apply for SDP then your only option would be to apply for UC to get the housing element but you would then not be eligible to claim SDP, once you are on UC you will not be able to go back on to legacy benefits.
Gary
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