Managed migration from ESA to UC, for Housing Benefit

I have managed to stay under the DWP’s radar for quite a while thankfully, but I now have a migration notice saying “You will soon stop receiving the following benefits: Housing Benefit”, with a deadline of 14 February. At least it’s an easy date to remember...

I’ve read the B&W guides and the helpful advice on the forums, but I hope other users who have dealt with this scenario will be able to help me with the questions I still have. The more I think about it all the more confused and anxious I get, so the assistance will be really appreciated. Thank you.

About me: I’m in the ESA support group, with savings over £6,000. My latest award letter shows the total weekly payment as an income-related amount plus about another £14 “because you are entitled to Contribution-Based ESA”. I believe this is what the guides refer to as a top-up. I receive Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support from my council.

Q1
After claiming, will I continue to receive ESA fortnightly just as I currently do, along with a monthly UC payment to replace my Housing Benefit? I fear the answer to that is “no”, but I’ll ask anyway.

Q2
Page 9 of the B&W managed migration guide says “However, if you were receiving a ‘top up’ of irESA, you will move to UC via managed migration and UC will replace the irESA payment only. Your contributory ESA will change from being called contribution-based ESA to ‘New-Style ESA’, which is really just a new name for the same thing.”

Will all that be the case, even though the notice I received seems to only be about Housing Benefit? I’ve put the numbers into the “Entitled To” calculator but I’ve found it hard to compare.

Q3
Can you fill in and save the online UC application over several sessions, or do you have to complete it all in one go?

And is the date of application the date you start filling it in, or the date you submit it?

Q4
Possibly misguidedly, over the past few years my capital has dropped and I haven’t informed the DWP, through a fear of triggering some kind or review or reassessment. I viewed it as “my loss” and a price worth paying for keeping them at bay.

So regarding transitional protection, am I right to presume it will be based on what I currently receive, rather than on what I’d have been entitled to if I’d notified the DWP of the reduction in capital?

Hi David

Thanks so much for the helpful reply, I feel a little bit calmer about it all now.

I have saved that post about the Help to Claim service, I think it would be best if I did get in touch with them for support, it sounds good.

Re my savings, they won't fall below £6,000, but there is a difference (if my maths is right) of about £13 a week between what I get now, and what I should get based on my actual savings. So perhaps it would be for the best to notify the DWP now, to get that transitional protection?

I guess I'm going to have to weigh up the possibility of losing out versus the hassle of informing the DWP ahead of doing this claim. Do you know if it can be done by filling in a form? I hate using the phone but I'd be able do it in writing.

Thanks again for your help and your hard work here on the forum.

Thank you for the advice. Going by the Entitled To figures, it looks like I'd actually get more on UC than I do currently. But I will look into that further to be certain. Thanks so much again.