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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.
    sara
    sara · 11 hours 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
    Just passing through · 19 hours 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.
    James H
    James H · 20 hours 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.
    BOB
    BOB · 1 days 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.
      Dee
      Dee · 9 hours ago
      @James H 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 H
      James H · 19 hours 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
      Jon · 20 hours 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.
      Sophie
      Sophie · 21 hours ago
      @Dee I'm in the support group Dee, I was contacted at the end of August I have until the end of November. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dee
      Dee · 1 days ago
      @BOB  I'm the support group so hoping they leave us to last 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Eliza
    Eliza · 1 days 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
      Frances · 1 days ago
      @Frances Seriously, why the down vote?? Say say something constructive.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Frances
      Frances · 1 days 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
    Jo Bicheno · 1 days 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.
    Denny
    Denny · 1 days 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.
      James H
      James H · 19 hours 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
      Dee · 1 days 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
    Tammy · 1 days 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
      Simon · 1 days 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
    JO · 1 days 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.
      axab43
      axab43 · 1 days 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
    kbskylady · 1 days 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
      sara · 1 days 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
    Sandra · 1 days 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.
    Sophie
    Sophie · 1 days 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.
      Sophie
      Sophie · 18 hours 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
      Natasha · 1 days 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
      Jo Bicheno · 1 days 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
      Simon · 1 days 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.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Rik
    Rik · 2 days 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.
      Rik
      Rik · 1 days 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
      Simon · 1 days 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
      Denny · 1 days 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.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    CaroA
    CaroA · 2 days 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....
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Simon
    Simon · 2 days 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.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Gail
    Gail · 2 days ago
    I’m dreading this my elderley mother is my appointee so I want to make it as easy as possible
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    T
    T · 2 days ago
    I've recently been spending a lot of time reading post on the universal credit groups on Facebook. 
     It's become clear that in a lot of cases you are required to attend the job centre to provide identity and , a few are lucky enough to be able to verify online and quite a lot seem to have done identity online to still be told they need to verify identity at jobcentre... 
     Nobody seems to know anything about phone biographical interviews.. 
       Everybody seems to have had to attend the commitment agreement meeting too regardless of being in support group although some have been able to do this via phone. 
      So this definitely isn't as simple as some people make out, the people with problems and fears with social interactions and housebound will be forced to confront some of our worst fears or we will not get onto universal credit. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Julie
      Julie · 1 days ago
      @T I believe through experience that the biographical calls are intimidating as you are put under pressure to answer the random questions quickly and any slight pause or let me think is reason for them to fail you. 
      When I attended my meeting at the job centre with the dozens of apparent documents to prove my identity, firstly my time slot was late and then they were more interested in seeing my bank card as proof of I.d....an unpleasant experience but hey someone has to do the poxy job!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Simon
      Simon · 2 days ago
      @T You'll be fine - they can't/won't force you to do anything you are incapable of doing. Reach out to somebody you know who can attend any sessions with you at a job centre and if the work coach (or whoever) isn't sympathetic, ask for another one. You basically spend much of your time initially just logging into an online account and have a diary facility, where you can detail all of your issues (if you choose), so much of the time spent with the system is faceless and away from other people.

      If they attempt to get you to use a pogo stick with a broken leg, just say no, and then provide reasons for the "no" and make sure you provide evidence for the no.

      I know it seems scary, and it can be, but there is a way through.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    David
    David · 2 days ago
    Thanks team. This extra guide was super useful to those who are anxious about the process.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    jem
    jem · 2 days ago
    im so scared of this change. im on legacy esa but do not know what to do with the uncertainty of it all
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Simon
      Simon · 2 days ago
      @jem One day at time Jem. I went through this and came out the other side. I am autistic and have major issues with socialisation and confrontation. The unfamiliar is a scary place if I am unable to precisely map the environment, so I took somebody with me through the process and found a sympathetic work coach to dialogue with.

      As I say - one day at time, one form at a time etc.

      Make sure you have a trusted friend or family member or GP to back you along the way.

      Now forget about all of this and do something you enjoy. What will be will be.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ah
    Ah · 3 days ago
    Do you get a text message to notify you to migrate?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      Jon · 2 days ago
      @Ah No text message just a standard letter

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