Welcome to
UCnotes
Working together toresolve welfare benefit problems
To learn more about us
SEE BELOW
What we offer
Our website
You’ll find up-to-date and comprehensive information on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and other benefits.It’s quick and easy to access - with everything in one place.Designed to meet the needs of housing and advice workers, each page is packed full of the commentary, references, examples and tools you need to help your customers deal with the complexities of the benefit system.
Our tools
There's over 300 standard letters on the website designed to save you time and get results. They are written in plain English but quoting the latest case law and relevant regulations.With access to a suite of Calculators, Mapping Tools, Summary Sheets and Flowcharts that help navigate the benefit system and ensure your customers are receiving the right entitlement.
Our query service
Subscribers have access to our team of experts via our email query service.
They can help:
What's new?
HOT TOPIC
New case law protects TSDPE when moving out of HB funded accommodation
Many Universal Credit claimants who were getting a Severe Disability Premium (SDP) in an award of Income-Related ESA, Income Support or Income-Based JSA, before they moved onto UC have a Transitional Element included in their UC award.
Here we are looking at new case law that protects TSDPE when moving out of HB funded accommodation.
Click here to see the article.
WEBSITE PAGES
Have you seen our ever expanding Managed Migration section?
Check out our new page on the 'Enhanced Support Journey' here.
Check out our new page on 'Debts and Deductions' here.
MOST RECENT NEWSLETTER
Have you seen our April 2024 newsletter?
Updates and commentary on the latest and most relevant in the benefit world and our newest and upcoming events.
Click here to see the newsletter.
Latest benefit news
NEW TOOL
Updated Managed Migration Checklist
This checklist takes you through the steps/questions to ask a claimant who has received a Migration Notice to ensure they have maximised and receive any Transitional protection they are entitled to, make the claim for UC at the best time for them and maximised their UC award.
Click here to see the checklist.
E-LEARNING - COMING SOON
Keep an eye out for our new e-learning coming May 2024
This E-Learning course gives learners the detail they need to understand how a manage migrating claimants Transitional Element is calculated.
It looks at how the DWP work out a claimant's Total Legacy Amount and Indicative UC Amount. It examines the rules for some 'special cases' - including Benefit Cap claimants. It highlights where mistakes are being made, and which claimants could be worse off on UC even with Transitional Protection.
New Regs: Protection for Mixed Age Couples in Managed Migration
Added on 14th May 2024
New Regulations that come into effect on 8th June all 'protected' Mixed Aged Couples to retain their 'protection' even if they claim UC after receiving a Migration Notice. Mixed Age Couples are only able to make claims for Pension Credit and Pension Age HB if they are 'protected'. Some 'protected' MACs will receive Migration Notices and be encouraged to claim UC (i.e., because they are receiving Working Tax Credit). These new Regulations ensure that receiving a Migration Notice and claiming UC will not end their 'protection' as long as they claim within the necessary time limits. For more on 'protected' MACs click here. Or click here to see the new Regs.
New Regs: Ending Tax Credits for Pension Age Claimants
New Regulations that come into effect on 8th June legislate for moving Pension Age Tax Credit claimants onto either Pension Credit or Universal Credit. If they are receiving Working Tax Credit, they will be sent a Migration Notice and encouraged to claim UC. If not, they will be encouraged to claim PC. If appropriate they will receive Transitional Protection on whichever benefit they are invited to claim. We are working on an article looking at this process in more depth. Click here for the Regulations.
Managed Migration of IR-ESA Claimants Brought Forward
Added on 25th April 2024
Rishi Sunak has announced that the DWP will bring forward the transition of claimants on IR-ESA onto UC. The DWP were not planning on sending Migration Notices to claimants receiving IR-ESA without Tax Credits until 2028/29. However, Neil Couling has confirmed that the DWP now plan on having sent out all Migration Notices by the end of December 2025. It is understood that claimants receiving IR-ESA (or IR-ESA and HB) will start to receiving Migration Notices later in 2024. Claimants who are receiving IR-ESA and Tax Credits (and HB) are expected to receive Migration Notices between July and September 2024. To learn more about the roll out of Managed Migration click here.
Upcoming events
Managed Migration MasterclassWORKSHOP
14th, 16th & 23rd May 20249.30am - 1pm
CLICK HEREto see more about the event
UC The EssentialsONLINE BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAMME
Starting: 22nd May 20249.30am - 1pm
5th, 12th & 19th June 20249.30am - 1pm
To see all of our training and events
CLICK HERE
We'd like you to try our services completely free for two weeks. That gives you the chance to see what we do and how we can help you resolve benefit problems and maximise income.
"Your new look website looks brilliant and makes it easy to find exactly what I need. Over the past few months we've saved over £20,000 by using the information and tools you provide.."