Fit Notes and ESA to UC Managed Migration.

My apologies for posting on this subject again but I’m still not entirely clear. I must migrate to UC by 22 June. Today, I called the CAB help to claim line. As part of the advice, I was told I would need to provide fit notes while claiming UC to remain in the equivalent group I was in while claiming ESA.

Currently, I am in the work related activity group (WRAG) on ESA and have been for a few years. I completed, and sent, an ESA50 form last September but haven’t heard anything yet.

Looking at the Benefits and Work ESA to UC managed migration guide, I see it says that the law is clear that we don’t have to provide fit notes while, or have a WCA, to migrate from ESA to UC. We should automatically be put in the equivalent group for UC as for ESA - and not be required to keep sending fit notes. Have I understood this correctly? Many thanks.

I'm sure someone who has a clearer understanding of this issue will answer shortly but I do know many people are advised to send sick notes in when they don't need to. If a person is in support group for instance sending in notes will trigger a new work capability assessment which is unnecessary. In those cases people end up losing money because 3 or 4 assessment periods are not paid and it can take months to get assessment and decision. In your case as you say you have already completed forms and maybe need to chase that up and get clarification from them , I hope you get sorted. Good Luck

Thank you for your reply. I don’t know the reason why I was sent an ESA50 Capability for Work Questionnaire on 19th August 2024. (My last ESA50 and WCA was in, I think, 2016 before this.) I’m thinking I was probably due for a re-assessment, but the letter didn’t give a reason.

On re-checking, I find I returned the form on 12th August 2024, not September as I thought. So far, I haven’t heard from the DWP since then. I haven’t been called, so far, for another WCA.

What I would like to know is: will I have to provide fit notes once I have migrated from ESA to UC? (Under ESA, I was placed in the WRAG group.). Many thanks in advance of your reply.