ESA ir to UC

Hi Gentle,

Do I presume that your mum has never had Housing Benefit previously? I am somewhat confused as to while an earlier claim could not have been made before PIP was awarded.
Additionally, your mum has no SDP, is this because she has a carer claiming Carer’s Allowance? If not she ought to be eligible to receive SDP which should be backdated to when her PIP was backdated to.
Although SDP can't be awarded under UC, since your mum has been on ESA previously, it is likely she will be eligible fir transitional protection which is an equivalent amount.
If your mum wants to claim UC, this might be awarded without a formal assessment, but this may depend on how long ago the last ESA assessment was, her condition/s and what medical evidence you submit.
I don't know whether a UC review will coincide with the original ESA review date. It is possible with a review being done now, that there won't be any need for another review for a while.
You ask whether PIP can be affected by UC- potentially yes! If an assessment made for UC suggests that your mum no longer meets the test for LCWRA , this can sometimes generate a PIP review, however given that PIP has recently been awarded, it seems unlikely that another review would be made so soon.
UC can only be backdated for a month, unless there is exceptional circumstances, normally for technical delays only. Unfortunately if your mum doesn't make a timely claim to meet her PIP award it can't get backdated beyond the month.

I hope this helps.

LL26