Change of Circumstances Trigger to UC

Hi
I’ve found conflicting info which on one hand states that if I have a Change of Circumstances (moving home) prior to a Managed Migration to UC from IR ESA including a SDP then I will remain on these legacy benefits & moving won’t trigger a change to UC. On the other hand on the Govt website it says as of January 2021 this no longer applies; please would you be able to clear this conflicting info up?
Many thanks in advance

Hi Mili

Not enought information to give you accurate advice, the key question to ask you is do you own or rent your property? I will try and explain some key changes that came into effect in January 2021.

When you say you are moving home, are you moving to a different local authority (LA) area, are you claiming housing benefit (HB)? If you are moving LA area's and claiming HB then you will have to apply for UC to get the housing element as you will no longer be able to apply for HB.

The disappearance of the Severe Disability Premium Gateway - from 27th January 2021 - means that:

* IR-ESA / IB-JSA / IS / HB claimants who would previously have been protected from having to claim Universal Credit by their Severe Disability Premium will no longer be. So certain changes in their circumstances could trigger the need for them to claim UC. 

* Some who move to UC will get a Transitional SDP Element included when their UC award is assessed. 

* But this Element can be eroded over time, meaning when a claimant has certain changes - such as having a new baby or a rent increase - they may not receive any extra UC

If you do not receive any HB then the IR ESA that you receive will stay as it is, even if you change Local Authority area.

Gary