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Apply now for ESA - or wait a month till UC comes
- Sian
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5 years 7 months ago #217316 by Sian
Apply now for ESA - or wait a month till UC comes was created by Sian
Hi Guys,
I'm posting on behalf of my niece, who is struggling with mental and physical illness. We've looked at, and prepared an ESA and ESA50 form - but she has heard that her area will be moving to universal credit in mid-october. Does that mean she would need to apply all over again? She and her wife are currently getting by on the roughly 100 pounds her wife receives on a zero hours contract. My niece has complex needs, and requires care and support, and we are also hoping to get her PIP. Would she be best waiting until the UC was rolled out, or just going for it with the ESA now? Thanks in advance for any guidance!
I'm posting on behalf of my niece, who is struggling with mental and physical illness. We've looked at, and prepared an ESA and ESA50 form - but she has heard that her area will be moving to universal credit in mid-october. Does that mean she would need to apply all over again? She and her wife are currently getting by on the roughly 100 pounds her wife receives on a zero hours contract. My niece has complex needs, and requires care and support, and we are also hoping to get her PIP. Would she be best waiting until the UC was rolled out, or just going for it with the ESA now? Thanks in advance for any guidance!
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- Gordon
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5 years 7 months ago #217323 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Apply now for ESA - or wait a month till UC comes
Sian
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options so they need to look at what works better for them.
I assume that she has not worked in the Tax Years 2015-16 and 2016-17?
These primarily revolve about how they are treated as a couple. In both cases, her wife's earnings will affect her ESA payments, I would expect them to have more money under UC but her wife will come under more pressure to increase her work hours and she might be sanctioned for failing to do so. There is no conditionality on the partner for ESA.
I suggest that they put their information into one of the online benefit calculators so they can make an informed decision.
www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Providing the ESA claim is made before there postcode becomes a UC Full Service area then it will continue and they will not have to make a claim for UC.
Gordon
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options so they need to look at what works better for them.
I assume that she has not worked in the Tax Years 2015-16 and 2016-17?
These primarily revolve about how they are treated as a couple. In both cases, her wife's earnings will affect her ESA payments, I would expect them to have more money under UC but her wife will come under more pressure to increase her work hours and she might be sanctioned for failing to do so. There is no conditionality on the partner for ESA.
I suggest that they put their information into one of the online benefit calculators so they can make an informed decision.
www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Providing the ESA claim is made before there postcode becomes a UC Full Service area then it will continue and they will not have to make a claim for UC.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sian
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