Getting Universal Credit if you’re sick or disabled

The DWP might add an extra amount to your Universal Credit called a ‘managed migration transitional element’. This is to stop you being worse off than you were on your old benefits. This will usually take the SDP into account and other premiums you used to get.

You might not get a managed migration transitional element if:

• your old benefits have already stopped

• you get more money from Universal Credit than your old benefits

If you don’t get the managed migration transitional element in your Universal Credit, you might still get an extra amount because you used to get the SDP. This is called the ‘SDP transitional element’. The amount you get will depend on a few things, such as how much you were being awarded in your legacy benefits. Check how much Universal Credit you’ll get - check the section about other amounts you can get.

You’ll need to apply for Universal Credit within a month after you stop getting the benefit with the SDP. You can’t get the SDP transitional element if you:

• were only getting the SDP with Housing Benefit

• move in with a partner who is claiming Universal Credit

• stop being eligible for the SDP

If you get a transitional element, the DWP will reduce this over time - so eventually you’ll just get what you normally would on Universal Credit.

If you’re not sure when to apply for Universal Credit, talk to an adviser.

To get the extra amount, you’ll need to apply for Universal Credit within a month after you stop getting the benefit with the SDP. The extra amount is called the ‘SDP transitional element’. The amount you get will depend on a few things, such as how much you were being awarded in your legacy benefit. Check how much Universal Credit you’ll get - check the section about other amounts you can get.

You can’t get the SDP transitional element if you:

• were only getting the SDP with Housing Benefit

• move in with a partner who is claiming Universal Credit

• stop being eligible for the SDP

If you get a transitional element, the DWP will reduce this over time - so eventually you’ll just get what you normally would on Universal Credit.

You should get LCWRA automatically if working or getting ready for work could be a risk to your health or your baby's health. Tell your work coach and make a note on your online account.

You’ll need to wait 3 months to get the extra money. If you already do some work-related requirements, the DWP might decide you can stop doing them before 3 months.

They might still ask you to complete a UC50 form - especially if you have another health condition or disability.

If you have LCWRA, you’ll get the extra money straight away.

You might still need to fill in the UC50 form and go to an assessment - it depends which type of ESA you get.

If you get new-style ESA

If you’re in the ESA support group, you'll automatically have LCWRA.

If you’re in the ESA Work-Related Activity Group, you’ll automatically have LCW.

If you already have LCW or LCWRA for new-style ESA, you don't need to fill in another form or have a medical assessment for Universal Credit.

The DWP might still say you need another assessment for your Universal Credit claim, but you don't. If the DWP say you need another assessment, you can challenge your Universal Credit decision.

If you got old-style ESA

You can get LCW or LCWRA straight away if you:

• were getting ESA in the ESA support group or the Work-Related Activity Group

• claimed Universal Credit before you stopped being eligible for ESA

You'll still have LCW or LCWRA on Universal Credit as long as there's no break between your old-style ESA claim and your Universal Credit claim.

The DWP might send you a UC50 form to check you’re still eligible for LCW or LCWRA.

You'll get LCWRA automatically if you're over State Pension age and getting:

• Attendance Allowance

• the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment

• Pension Age Disability Payment

You'll get LCW automatically if you're getting either:

• PIP, but not the enhanced daily living component

• DLA, but not the highest rate care component

• Adult Disability Payment, but not the enhanced rate of the daily living component

The DWP should also send you a UC50 form to check if you should be getting LCWRA instead of LCW. If they don’t, call the Universal Credit helpline or request it through your online account.

If you go into hospital or drug or alcohol rehab for at least 24 hours, update your Universal Credit online account as soon as you can.

You'll have LCW while you're in hospital. You'll also have LCW after you come out, if the DWP agree you need time to recover.

You'll also have LCW if you've been given official notice not to work because you have an infectious disease.

The DWP should also send you a UC50 form to check if you should be getting LCWRA. If they don’t, call the Universal Credit helpline.

You're likely to have LCWRA if you're:

• being treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy

• likely to start treatment in the next 6 months

• recovering from treatment

You might also have LCWRA if you're getting other cancer treatments - like immunotherapy, biological treatment or hormonal treatment. If you're being treated with any of these and the DWP decide you don't have LCWRA, talk to an adviser.

The DWP will usually still send you a UC50 form to complete. This includes a section on cancer treatment.

You’ll usually need to wait 3 months to get the extra money.

If you have a terminal illness and might not live more than a year

You'll always have LCWRA. You can stop doing work-related requirements and get the extra money straight away.

You don’t need to complete a UC50 form. You’ll need to send the DWP a medical report from a doctor or another health professional. The report will be on form SR1. You don’t have to pay for it.

Ask your doctor or another healthcare professional to email the report to the DWP to save time.

There are some treatments and conditions where you'll get LCW or LCWRA automatically. If you have LCWRA, you might need to wait 3 months to get the extra money.

You'll still need to put a note on your online account mentioning your diagnosis and explaining how your illness or treatment stops you working or preparing for work.

You’ll have LCW if you're having:

• weekly dialysis

• plasma exchange

• intravenous feeding

Your LCW will continue if you've finished one of these treatments and the DWP agree you need time to recover. The DWP should also send you a UC50 form to check if you should be getting LCWRA.

If you have a terminal illness and might not live more than a year

You'll always have LCWRA. You can stop doing work-related requirements and get the extra money straight away.

You don’t need to complete a UC50 form. You’ll need to send the DWP a medical report from your doctor or another health professional. The report will be on form SR1. You don’t have to pay for it.

Ask your GP or consultant to email the report to the DWP to save time.