⸻ ESA to UC migration – received unexpected New Style

My partner is currently going through the migration process from ESA to Universal Credit. He’s already attended the Jobcentre to verify his ID, and everything seemed to be going smoothly so far. He was told that because he was in the Limited Capability for Work group on ESA, he will remain in the equivalent group on UC, and this would be reflected in his claimant commitment.

However, today he received a letter from the DWP saying that his contribution-based ESA will change to New Style ESA from 31st July, and that he needs to attend an appointment with a work coach to continue receiving it. This has left us really confused and quite worried.

We were under the impression that his ESA would simply be migrated over to UC — so we’re not sure if this letter is something we can ignore, or if he now has to make a separate claim for New Style ESA as well as UC.

Has anyone else had this, or know what it means? We’re a bit confused and anxious.

This has just happened to me as well. I was ESA Support Group and, like you, thought the migration to UC was going smoothly. I received a DWP letter yesterday and was left feeling very confused, stressed and panicked. I have been back through all correspondence since last ESA appeal as I was under the impression that my ESA was now solely income-related, repeated letters stating 'total income-related amount' for amount I receive, although there is mention that it is 'based on your National Insurance Contribution records and any additional amount the law says you need to live on'. I am going to contact CAB Help to Claim today. Very confused!!

My questions are:
1) how much of the ESA I received prior to UC application was contribution-based or, even if it is not an amount, does it still remain relevant in some way? and
2) if I was in the ESA support group and this should be migrated to UC, how can they now want me to justify how my disability prevents me from working and get me to agree new commitments (for new style ESA) in addition, and potentially in conflict with, that agreed for UC?