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ESA to UC migration – your questions answered

Details

Whilst we still have no definite start date for the process, the comments sections of Benefits and Work articles on ESA to UC migration have been filled with readers’ fears and uncertainties.

We already have a 28 page members guide to ESA to UC migration.  But as a result of the many issues raised we have now supplemented this with an 11 page collection of answers to FAQs for members, which we hope covers most of the main issues that have been raised.

The FAQs cover:

Managed migration

  • Will managed migration affect me?
  • How will I know when I have to move to Universal Credit?
  • Do I have to wait for managed migration?
  • I don’t want to move to UC – can I appeal?
  • Will managed migration affect my PIP and other payments?

Making a claim

  • What if I can’t claim by the deadline on my migration notice?
  • I’ve missed my managed migration deadline, and I didn’t ask for an extension beforehand – what can I do?
  • How do I make my claim for UC?  Do I have to talk to someone on the phone?
  • Will I have to explain how my health conditions affect me on the UC application?
  • Will I have to provide a fit note or prove I am unfit for work if I am moving to UC from ESA?
  • Will I have to go to the Jobcentre to show them my ID?
  • What happens if I don’t have any photo ID?
  • Will I have to go to the Jobcentre to verify my identity?
  • Who can help me make a claim?

The amount of UC

  • Will I get the same amount of money as I did on ESA?
  • When will I know how much UC I will receive?
  • My first payment is lower than I was getting from legacy benefits – what should I do?

Requirements whist receiving UC

  • I have already had a Work Capability Assessment for ESA – will I need another one?
  • Do I have to agree a claimant commitment?
  • Do I have to attend in person to sign my claimant commitment?
  • Will I have a work coach if I am in the support group?
  • Will I have a work coach if I was in the ESA work-related activity group?
  • I am an appointee for someone who was claiming Income-related ESA – what does managed migration mean for me?

The document includes all the health condition related questions you will be asked and has detailed examples of how your UC, including the transitional element, is worked out.

We’ll be adding to this document over the coming months as more issues are raised by readers.

Members can download the ESA to UC Managed Migration FAQs from the ESA/UC guides page.

Comments

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Catherine m
    · 18 days ago
    I am 64yrs old and I am on ESA in SUpport group for illness that stops me working. I am married to my 70yr old husband who gets basic state pension and a teeny tiny pension from his old employer.
    I have read that we have to apply for UC.  We dont get any other benefits.  Yet when I try these calculators it states we arent entitled to UC.  I have read that its because i am still classed as working age but I have MS and in pain and fall over alot. I cant get employment even though im trying due to being scared with all the reports in the news.  What income we have between us only just covers the rent.   What do we do.  I am due to retire march 2027 when i am 66.5yrs old.  i dont understand any of this benefit business.  paid in 47 yrs worth of NI stamp. its causing me resltless nights
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sophia
    · 1 months ago
    I have had to migrate to UC and my first payment is on the 29th October. However my ESA and Housing Benefit have already stopped meaning I will have a shortfall of just under £900! The only option appears to be applying for an advanced payment which I will need to pay back monthly. Is this standard???
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    MelanieL
    · 1 months ago
    I'm transgender, my name with DWP is different than name on passport, will this be an issue? Thanks
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 1 months ago
      @MelanieL Wouldn't have thought there would be an issue
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A
      · 1 months ago
      @MelanieL What ID document(s) did you provide to the DWP when you made your claim to them?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    WF2K
    · 1 months ago
    I started my migration on the 24/09/24, I've received no contact from them despite me needing to confirm my identity, I've even left notes in my journal. It says 2 - 3 days on the page after you submit the claim.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ah
    · 1 months ago
    Is there anyone who gets Income-related ESA and is on the SG who has received a Migration Notice letter? Please say the outcome.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mohammad
      · 22 days ago
      @Ah I have had one identity check appointment. But now they are interviewing me on the phone on November 5th to get me to agree to comityments to do with new style esa
      I'm confused myself as I was on income related esa. I don't know what's going on. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      jean howells
      · 23 days ago
      @Ah My husband, had an industrial accident, which resulted in a brain injury, and 10 hours of surgery, he was on incapacity benefit and DLA, both of the benefits changed, one to ESA, the other to PIP, so after 24 years of being unable to work, one phone call last year, of some muppet, saying that he is eligible, for some kind of employment, also he was refused PIP, again some young woman, who could hardly do her own job, and was heard asking someone else, who was in her presence, she had no clue, decided he was not eligible, so know , they have stopped his money and told to claim U.C. which he has to attend work focus interviews, wait a month for any sort of money, and will get £60 a week less money, what an utter con and mess, no wonder there are so many people living on the bread line and streets, and with severe mental health, to tell someone after 24 years, there is nothing wrong with him, due to 2 yes, no questions, over the phone, amounts to a crime
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Natasha
      · 1 months ago
      @Ah I attended my first appointment at Jobcentre from ESA support to UC absolutely sick with angst. I feared the worst especially as I applied soon after the letter.  I had an advisor who was so sympathetic and reassuring,  I nearly cried.  He just explained I would get monthly payments and I had such weight off my mind. There was no work commitments due to support group migration. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 1 months ago
      @Ah Received migration notice
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 1 months ago
      @Ah Yes me
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    sara
    · 1 months ago
    The government Move to Universal Credit website has changed the dates for esa and esa with hb. Where it previously said from Autumn 2024, TBC, it now says from September 2024.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Just passing through
    · 1 months ago
    This is such a worry. My friend receives PIP and ESA. He also has schizophrenia. He's getting more and more wound up about switching to universal credit. It's doing his mental health a power of good!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      jean howells
      · 23 days ago
      @Just passing through I sympathise with you, my husband had a severe brain injury 24 years ago, refused PIP, and put into a work category, he has a mental health issue due to his injury, they just don't care, he was a steel fabricator, and worked so hard, he sustained his injury at work, and he is treated like some benefits scrounger, its awfull
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    James
    · 1 months ago
    Currently migrating from SG ESA to UC 
    I have been told I will be getting transitional protection 
    From start to finish the whole process has been a mountain of incompetent bureaucracy random phone calls text messages all sorts of random people contacting me talking rubbish

    communicating with people who are difficult to understand who don't seem to know what's going on themselves 
    They are reading what to do from the computer screen as they're doing it 
    The computer screen is telling them if the customer says whatever click this symbol 
    DWP operatives dealing with the transfer are as skilled as McDonalds workers pushing the button that says cheeseburger 

    So I got a phone call the other day out of the blue telling me I'm going to also get new style ESA but I won't actually get any money for it
    I did have a appointment for a client commitment for universal credit but they canceled it and decided I didn't need one 
    Instead they have made an appointment for a client commitment for ESA new style that won't pay me any money 
    I agreed to the client commitment for this as it will provide contributions for my pension apparently parts of this commitment was to agree to supply fit notes if they ask for them which will only cause more bureaucracy 

    Why are they replacing one benefit 
    ESA with two other benefits UC and new style ESA and also a transitional protection 
    One of the benefits requires a client commitment the other benefit doesn't 

    What a complete mess obviously they're not that stupid it must have been designed this way to cause people mental distress


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      dannyufcfan
      · 1 months ago
      @James Hi, I receive ESA sg only. I don't think I should have the option to receive new ESA because it's CB and have not worked in the last few years. But you're saying they give you that option, anyway? And as far as you know, do you have to agree to go on new ESA or can you just ignore it an go on just UC? Thank you
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    BOB
    · 1 months ago
    No idea where the ESA migration to UC will start first. You have work related ESA with HB and without then you have ESA claimants with tax credits then last the ESA claimants with ESA in support group so where will they start first and what area.  No clear messages from labour and just causing great stress to people.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Julie Kidd
      · 1 months ago
      @Dee Hi Dee, they will use your bank card as ID so unfortunately you will have to attend a job centre interview and bring along other paperwork.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James
      · 1 months ago
      @Dee They "id" me over the phone but not by a method I anticipated I thought they might ask for numbers on a passport or a copy of a driving licence or something 

      this was not the method they used to identify me 
      they asked question that would be pretty difficult for another person to know but it was just personal information about my past they was able to verify me over the telephone by asking these questions no physical identification was supplied to them 

      Be prepared for last minute changes being cut off on the phone all that kind of regular bureaucratical rubbish they need to be told exactly what to do because they really don't know what they're doing the DWP must have employed a huge amount of temporary workers who are processing this move from ESA to UC they're given very little training and then let loose learning on the job
      the computer is telling/instructing them what to do as they're doing it 

      at some point you will also deal with staff at the job centre in your local area they will call you they are the people that arrange and will do work commitments
      If you have any difficulties getting out because of a disability physically or something like agrophobia you can do your client work/commitment on the phone 

      you have to accept a client commitment to get paid or the claim will be cancelled only exceptions are people dying that have got like 12 months to live or people who are so mentally unstable or have such considerable learning difficulties who don't understand the process would be exempt from any kind of client commitment 
       
      they will either get you to commit to a universal credit client commitment or a new style ESA client commitment if you qualify for new style ESA too this will be dependent on the amount of NI contributions you have got

      When migrating from the support group the client commitment won't have any work commitment in the agreement you make 

      There will be a commitment to supply fit notes or medical evidence if they ask for it 
      and to inform them of any changes that might affect your benefits 
      you must agree to this even if you don't want to

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dee
      · 1 months ago
      @James I knows it's coming sooner than I hoped😔 at the moment I'm trying to get any relevant paperwork ready for I. D and tenancy agreement ,everyday the post comes it's like living on eggshells. Not having a passport or full driving licence is stressing me because I don't know what they will except as ID , without me having to go into a job center and show what I do have .To me the thought of having to do that is terrifying 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James
      · 1 months ago
      @Dee No unfortunately they are doing us now I was in the support group only receiving ESA and housing benefit however I did complain about them recently so maybe they put me at the top of the list :)
      So prepare for the letter to come through the door because it may come sooner than you think
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 1 months ago
      @BOB I got my migration letter 5 days ago and am on income related esa
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Eliza
    · 1 months ago
    Will pension credits still be included after the migration? I am receiving New Style ESA LCWRAG and UC and my pension credits are currently paid in full.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Frances
      · 1 months ago
      @Frances Seriously, why the down vote?? Say say something constructive.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Frances
      · 1 months ago
      @Eliza New style ESA will not be migrated to UC. As you are already receiving UC then migration does not apply to you: none of your benefits are legacy benefits.

      When you say 'pension credits', I'm assuming you're talking about NI credits (contributions) towards your state pension.

      According to what entitlement you have to the State Pension, based on your NI contributions, any other income and any disability add-on, when you reach state pension age, you might be entitled to the means tested benefit, Pension Credit, on top of your State Pension.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jo Bicheno
    · 1 months ago
    Can anyone advise me if the rules for migration to UC from IS are the same as for coming from ESA? 
    I have PIP at higher rate for both mobility and care and my husband who is my carer was claiming IS for us both but I’m finding it difficult to find much information about this forced migration from IC to UC. 
    The worry over this is making me ill and it seems ridiculous to me that my husband as my carer does not have to commit to any work related activities but the person he cares for-me- has to go to all these job centre appointments and look for work. 
    Can anyone help? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      jean howells
      · 23 days ago
      @Jo Bicheno I was told, (my husband was refused PIP), that if he was claiming PIP and I was his paid carer, then you would still claim the ESA element to U.C. but you wouldn't have to attend work focus interviews,  so I was lead to believe , hope this helps
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Amber
      · 1 months ago
      @Jo Bicheno You're right, the whole thing is madness. I'm not familiar with the ESA migration rules, but for IS to UC you will both need to fully complete online UC applications, link your accounts, and follow due process. It's correct that your husband will have no work commitments and truly ridiculous that the person receiving full time care, i.e yourself, is the one having all the stress!

      You will be given an appointment for an interview as your claim progresses. If you would find it difficult to attend a Job Centre you can request a phone interview in your Journal.

      Ultimately, you will have your opportunity to explain your condition and how it affects you during your interview. If you are chronically sick with no prospect of working, you can tell them this.

      After the interview comes the Capability for Work (UC50) questionnaire, where you can give more detailed answers and submit medical evidence. (Include a copy of your PIP assessment report, if you have it). You'll then have a UC assessment and receive a decision about your capability for work. 

      The government website says this about UC: "If you have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working: You will not be asked to work, and will be supported through Universal Credit."

      So ultimately, after going through the long, daunting process, you will arrive at that final stage of not having to look for work if you are unable to.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Denny
    · 1 months ago
    Please everyone when migrating from ESA support to LCWRA on UC, please put straight away on your journal, that regulation 19 applys to me and that I am migrating from the support group of ESA to LCWRA on UC, and that I don't need a fit note or a assessment.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Stan
      · 1 months ago
      @Denny But where does this fit in, I have absolutely no idea..?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Tam
      · 1 months ago
      @James Do you lose uc though on new style esa don’t they take away some off your uc cause you claim new style esa 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dee white
      · 1 months ago
      @Denny Where on the claim form do i put this 
      Thank you 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James
      · 1 months ago
      @Denny I have done that but it's not a guarantee regulation 19 only applies to UC not new style ESA 

      So far they have cancelled the client commitment for UC
      now they have decided I will get new style ESA along with UC but I won't receive any money new style ESA it will
       
      People who have been receiving ESA for a very long time like I have Will also qualify for new style ESA and this requires its own separate client commitment and one of those commitments is to supply fit notes if they ask for it regulation 19 does not apply to this new style ESA 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dee
      · 1 months ago
      @Denny Waiting for the dreaded letter ,I'm in the support group and get high rate mobility on DLA , where on the online form bit do I put that I should be protected under regulation 19 ,just so I'm ready for when the time comes . Cheers Dee
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Tammy
    · 1 months ago
    We're from Cambridgeshire and have received our migration notice letter in August. We will be starting our UC claim next month as we have until end November and want to make sure we're prepared. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Simon
      · 1 months ago
      @Tammy All the best - it should be fine, any issues with the process, take notes and hold the system to account.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    JO
    · 1 months ago
    I changed and from the start it was lower and now I only get 800.00 on uc n lwrca were as on esa support group and sld I would receive 1890 per month 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Joanne
      · 1 months ago
      @JO have your circumstances changed at all? you have to make sure that while transitioning there are no changes at all. My job coach said even something like a change of email address is enough to class as a change and may affect transitional protection.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      axab43
      · 1 months ago
      @JO It has been stated in several places your income was to be protected, so they cannot take the money away you would lose by transferring.  Again this has been repeated a few times so they cannot do what they are doing to you.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    kbskylady
    · 1 months ago
    I'm dreading this 'migration'; as I understand it a letter from DWP will advise individuals when legacy benefit(s) are ending, and then the claimant will have to apply for UC within a short space of time - that is not the definition of managed migration!  As I reach state retirement age in a year's time, it is extremely irksome that I will have to go through this 'migration' at all, only for my state pension to become payable in September of the same year (I have to apply for that too!). My experience as a claimant over a 9 year period has been one of stress, confusion, badly handled telephone assessments, one of which which led to my PIP award being zeroed after telephone assessment by ATOS (later reinstated and enhanced by DWP), and a lot of worry every time a brown envelope falls through the letterbox. Deeply unimpressed that 'Uncle Joe Starmer' and co seem intent on carrying on with bad Tory policies and treating vulnerable individuals in a way that large corporations would never be treated. Don't get me started onthe banking spying operation! Anyone who has a mental health condition goes through the mill in the benefits system; my partner has a physical disability and sailed through the PIP assessment, while I have had a rough ride, including having to go to tribunal in order to get the benefit I was due, and then the malarky as detailed above when it was taken away again. How the UC process will work for individuals living with mental health conditons I do not know, but I suspect it won't be a good experience.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      sara
      · 1 months ago
      @kbskylady You might not have to migrate if you get near (within 6 months?) State Pension
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sandra
    · 1 months ago
    I had to change from ESA to UC in January 24.  My housing officer arranged for their benefits adviser to help me. She was great and told me exactly when to do the claim so I wasn't without money for too long. Overall the process wasn't too bad although at one point they sent me an appointment to see a work coach.  A few days later the DWP cancelled the appointment and made my claimant commitment that I notify them of changes and that I check my journal periodically.  So no visit to the Jobcentre thankfully.  I was on contribution based ESA and now on New ESA CB as well as UC.  My ESA and small widows pension are taken out of my UC prior to me receiving it but at least I now have help with my rent.  Overall, although an anxious time, the transition was ok for me.   I was glad I had help though as my anxiety had kicked in big time about making the change.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Tam
      · 1 months ago
      @Sandra Was you worse off by claiming new style esa and uc 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sophie
    · 1 months ago
    I am absolutely dreading the migration from ESA to UC, I have until the end of November. I have been reading on here about others experiences, I'm in the support group for ESA and also claim PIP for depression, anxiety and OCD, I have a phone phobia regarding even talking to people, I'm not sleeping and am having panic attacks. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      jean howells
      · 23 days ago
      @Simon it is a negative stressful situation, especially if you or the person you live with has mental health problems, it demeaning and degrading, especially if you have worked for most of your life, but because of illness, you no longer can, you are made to feel useless and a begger
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sophie
      · 1 months ago
      @Simon People on here have a right to say how the migration process is affecting them, so glad it was a walk in the park for you!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Natasha
      · 1 months ago
      @Sophie I am sick with worry.  I stupidly did my application online the day I got it for migration from ESA support group to UC. I had until 19 December.  I called but I cannot halt the process.  I have bipolar and severe anxiety and I cannot sleep as I need to see a work coach next week. Each time a message drops into the 'journal ' I feel sick. I could have waited 3 months and got advice.  Dreading the future. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jo Bicheno
      · 1 months ago
      @Sophie Me too. I’ve had to start my migration and have had my first job centre appointment which kicked off my panic attacks. They said I will get a message saying I have to attend again on Friday but they will in fact do it on the phone and I actually feel worse as I have a phone phobia, I have no idea what will happen next or what my rights are. I have a nasty feeling that this arrangement won’t work as I think the person doing Friday’s meeting will expect me to be there even though I’ve been told I don’t have to be. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Simon
      · 1 months ago
      @Sophie It can be difficult - but there is usually a way to cope with the situation. I understand the tendency to focus on the negatives online, but maybe shift the focus to the positive outcomes, in the majority of cases at this time, people get the support they need eventually. I sometimes think that these faceless forums just feed our anxiety. When I have a crisis I tend to doom scroll online and my mind latches on to the negatives. There are a lot of posters here who tend to paint a "doom and gloom" picture of the system and even though it is daunting at times, the reality is mixed in terms of engagement and outcome. I have had horrible experiences, but these have always passed. It might be an idea to check in with your GP if you feel like you can't cope at the moment? All the best.
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    Rik
    · 1 months ago
    Starmer has just announced that the DWP will have full access to bank accounts. And there will be a legal duty on banks to report bank account activity, and well as whether a claimant is overseas. Looks like he'll be having claimants passports flagged. Worrying times. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Natasha
      · 1 months ago
      @Rik Starmer has only proposed a bill so far but that bill needs to become an Act which means going through House of Commons, then House of Lords. Earlier this year, House of Lords rejected a very similar bill by Conservatives so his odious plan might well be rejected again. Especially given all those clothes and pairs of glasses he has been given in 'donations'.
      Every time I see his face I hate the man.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Darren
      · 1 months ago
      @Denny They are owned by the right wing press . Daily mail, express ,sun these press barons are the real power and they hate poor people especially disabled ones.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Rik
      · 1 months ago
      @Simon From what’s being reported and published by govt, Labour are basically wholesale copying the Conservative’s proposals.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Simon
      · 1 months ago
      @Rik We don't know the particulars of the bill yet and "full access" isn't the best turn of phrase. From what I have read, banks will be obliged to pass on "suspicious activity" to the DWP, at which point they will pursue and look for evidence.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Denny
      · 1 months ago
      @Rik He's just carrying on were the Tories left off, when it comes to benefits, they are just watered down tories, Labour colours but tory policies, just like T Blair's new labour, I am a socialist Labour party supporter, and no way would I give Stammer my vote, I knew this was coming, regarding people on benefits, from Stammer, yesterday the mention of yet again of a Tory favourite word BENEFIT FRAUD, at the Labour party conference, when Stammer mentions life will get better under him, unfortunately not if you are on benefits, sick/disabled, the very people who give their votes to Stramer, the most persecuted group under the Tories, I knew this was coming under him, there are a few socialist MP'S left in the Labour government,  and Stammer is trying everything to get rid of them, and you asks why.
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    CaroA
    · 1 months ago
    I migrated to Universal Credit from ESA a couple of years ago.  I've not said anything so far because it was a tough experience and I know talking about these things can distress people.  Citizens advice were amazing in helping me apply I can't praise them enough.  During the form filling process online the DWP automatically filled in bits about my housing details from previous information held  but somehow couldn't fill in automatically that I was in the Support Group!  I was told I would have to go to the job centre for the commitment agreement and also to supply ID.  In the end I got so distressed with them especially with the implication of going to the job centre to be pressured into work. I ended up getting a fit note from my GP to get them off my back even though I was in the Support Group and shouldn't have needed this. With invaluable help from Citizens Advice the DWP thankfully then sorted the commitment agreement by telephone and sent somebody to my house to photograph my ID.  That felt nerve-wracking enough but thankfully he was very kind and respectful. I'm left confused as to whether I will need another fit note in future but was given a couple of years until my next going over/assessment.  The whole thing left me incredibly depleted and I i'm quite certain contributed to me now having further serious health issues.  It is time somebody started a class action lawsuit against the DWP!  Big takeaway from this is to get support from Citizens Advice if possible, they know the law behind rights of Support Group claiments and to get your GPs support if needed.  I know this isn't easy now with shortages of GP's appointment etc. Just some feedback and thoughts though....
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    Simon
    · 1 months ago
    Try not to worry too much, I went through this about 4 years ago and was dreading the change. it happened to me because I lost my ESA award thanks to the incompetence of an assessor, so I had to apply for UC and then went through the process of appealing and then applying for LCW - which was successful. I was in the worse case scenario at the time without much support and had to battle the system alone and had 6 months of perilously low income and worry. I came out the other side though and found UC not to be as awful as others were saying, with a sympathetic work coach who quickly realised mistakes had been made during assessment. He basically left me alone and just asked me to do the bare minimum - ie. go online and acknowledge messages etc. They also agreed to interview via mobile, as I wasn't coping too well with appointments. The bottom line, you can only do what you are able to do and there are good people in the system who will help. If you struggle with the process at all, if you are able, use the UC system online and fill your dairy  with an honest account of the barriers and issues you are facing when dealing the system, for the record. It is what it is at the end of the day, efficiently inefficient and imperfect at times, but at least we have some kind of support.

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