ESA-UC migration: request to close original claim

Last week I took the plunge and submitted my ESA-UC online migration form. I subsequently informed them through my journal that I am severely both mentally and physically ill and unable to attend the job centre in person - no problem, Identity check carried out over the phone yesterday.

All appeared to be going well till I received a new journal message shortly after the call telling me to contact ESA myself to end my claim before they could proceed with my UC claim [!!!!!]. Is this right ?? I have been on income related ESA and fear for my transitional protection if I make a wrong move. It was inferred in my UC migration form that my ESA and HB payments would automatically be stopped a fortnight after my claim and that UC would kick in about 3 weeks later.

Is it normal practice to ask the claimant to cancel their old ESA claim themselves in order to proceed and would this stop the transitional protection i should receive, as i fear it would ? Many thanks in advance for any reply.