uc and mixing benefits

Assuming this is full/digital UC (as opposed to live/gateway), then HB is only available for PC age, and for certain types of exempt/supported accomm.

Contribution-based ESA is not replaced by UC, so can stay in payment. C-ESA is indeed taken into account in the UC calc. Any relevant LCW or LCWRA elements should also through to the UC applicable amount. Depending on the circs, UC might top up the C-ESA.

Any income-related ESA, and HB, would end when UC starts.

Sunderland City Council (Houghton le Spring JCP, Southwick JCP, Sunderland JCP, Washington JCP) isn’t due to become full service until May 2018, so it sounds as though this is a live service query.  Is this the case?

If it is, your client shouldn’t be advised to claim UC. Assuming it’s the housing benefit office providing this guidance and not the DWP?

Not only that, if it’s live service they simply cannot claim UC as they fail both the legacy benefit and fitness for work gateway conditions.

If it’s full service they will indeed have to claim UC if they need to make a new claim for help with housing costs (unless in specified accommodation)

HB Anorak - 28 February 2017 10:45 AM

Not only that, if it’s live service they simply cannot claim UC as they fail both the legacy benefit and fitness for work gateway conditions.

If it’s full service they will indeed have to claim UC if they need to make a new claim for help with housing costs (unless in specified accommodation)

This is true. Also, has the claim been turned down, or has the claimant been dissuaded from claiming (has LA refused to send HB claim form)? Make sure, if client is entitled to HB, that the claim is backdated.

I don’t think it’s a full service area, so it’s likely to be the LA giving poor advice. We recently had to stop a housing benefit office from applying LHA rules to our tenants recently….

Sorry guys. My bad. This person lives in newcastle, which is full roll out, and i didnt make that clear.

Just had confirmation that CBESA in payment

My sunderland clients are different, as its not full roll out over here (yet)

If it’s full service, then yes, they’ll use the CBESA as unearned income when calculating UC entitlement. They may be better or worse off depending on which ESA group they’re in/ if they’re currently have a severe disability premium as part of their award. Double check if tenant covered by specified accommodation definition (LA will pay HB if so), and if not, put in request for an APA/ MPTL if client hits tier 1/2 vulnerabilities.

The Newcastle City Council area is a mixture of live and full service - so it might be worth double-checking.

Indeed. Here’s a guide that the brilliant Clive Davis put together for Newcastle. Original attached. Newcastle’s Active Inclusion Unit/ Welfare Rights’ information pages are excellent, by the way.

Full service roll out – postcode areas. Full details http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/universalcredit

25 May 2016 - Newcastle City, at Cathedral Square.
NE1 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 NE2 1,2,3,4 NE3 1,2,3,4,5,9 NE5 3,4 NE13 7,8,9 NE18 0

8 February 2017 - Newcastle East Jobcentre, Coquet House.
NE6 1,2,3,5,9 NE7 7

15 March 2017 - Newcastle West Job Centre, Condercum House.
NE15 0,6,7,8,9 NE4 5,6,7,8,9 NE5 1,2,5,9