Contribution-based ESA Support Group to UC migration

Dear Benefits and Work team,
Dear members,
I would be most grateful for your kind advice and assistance in relation to several issues I am currently experiencing regarding Universal Credit (UC) migration. I am 64 years old and have been in receipt of Contribution based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), in the Support Group, based on National Insurance contributions since 2016.
1. Doubtful Migration Notice Letter (Received 4 July 2025)
On 4 July 2025, I received a letter titled “UC Migration Notice” instructing me to apply for Universal Credit by 5 October 2025. However, I am concerned about the authenticity of this letter for the following reasons:
* It does not contain the official heading or logo of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
* There is no mention of my National Insurance number.
* The envelope did not indicate it was sent by DWP.
* The only reference number it contains is: TY1C-12L4-MM46.
According to Citizens Advice and other official guidance, transitional protection (which ensures I am not financially worse off when moving to UC) only applies if I act after receiving an official migration notice from the DWP. I am therefore anxious not to risk losing this protection by acting prematurely. I have emailed the DWP ministerial department to confirm whether this letter is genuine, but I have yet to receive a response.
Could you kindly confirm whether this letter constitutes an official migration notice from the DWP and whether I should proceed based on it? Or should I wait to receive a clearly identifiable, official notice to ensure my entitlements are fully protected?
2. Text Message Received (12 September 2025)
On 12 September 2025, I received a text message on my mobile from DWP stating:
“ESA and Housing Benefit payment are ending. Apply for UC by 5 October 2025. Search for Move to UC. For help call 08001690328.”
This message caused considerable distress, as it felt abrupt and threatening. I was unsure if it was genuine or potentially a scam.
3. Issues with UC Migration Online Application – “Your Responsibilities”
In an attempt to comply, I created a Universal Credit account on gov.uk and began the application process. However, I was halted at the stage titled "Your responsibilities", where I was asked to tick a box confirming:
"I understand these commitments."
This appeared to be related to work requirements. As a person in the ESA Support Group, I understand that I should be automatically placed into the Contribution-based New Style ESA in the Support Group (Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) group in UC, which does not require work-related activities or responsibilities.
I did not tick the box, as I do not fully understand the implications, nor do I believe it is appropriate for someone in my circumstances. Without ticking the box, I cannot proceed to the Journal to make a formal UC claim.
Could you kindly clarify what I should do in this situation? How can I ensure that my Support Group status is reflected correctly during this migration process?
4. Call to Citizens Advice “Help to Claim” (26 September 2025)
On 26 September 2025, at approximately 11:00 AM, I contacted the Citizens Advice Help to Claim UC service on 0800 144 8444. I spoke with an adviser named Andrew, who was polite and tried to assist. I explained my current ESA Support Group status and concerns regarding the work-related commitments.
Unfortunately, he was unable to clarify my queries and insisted advised that I must accept the responsibilities and complete the UC application. This has left me feeling pressured, panicked, and unsure how to proceed without risking my current entitlements or breaching any formal requirements.

I would greatly appreciate your urgent guidance on the following:
* Is the letter I received on 4 July 2025 a genuine DWP migration notice?
* Should I act on the text message received on 12 September 2025?
* How can I ensure my ESA Support Group status is correctly transferred to UC and that I am not subject to inappropriate work-related commitments?
* Is there a way to complete my UC claim Migration without accepting work responsibilities inconsistent with my current status?

30 September 2025
Dear David,
Thank you for your reply. However, It put me into even more confusion, panicking and worrying on the following:
1). I have been on Contribution- based ESA in Support Group ( not Income-based!) since 2016, granted by the decision of the First Tier Tribunal. Your very helpful website states the following, I quote: “ There are many benefits that will not be replaced by UC, including: Contributory or 'New-Style' Employment and Support Allowance (CESA), Carer's Allowance (CA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Council Tax Reduction. Universal Credit (UC) is a means-tested benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a single, monthly payment for people of working-age that is gradually replacing Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (irESA), Housing Benefit (HB), Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.” Please advise. It shows that my Contribution-based ESA in Support group will not be affected by UC Migration.
2) from the source of Governmental legislation : New-Style ESA: If you are getting New-Style ESA, it is not being migrated at this time.
• Contributory ESA: Contributory ESA is also not part of the migration. Please advise. It shows that my Contribution-based ESA in Support group will not be affected by UC migration.
3). According to the recent Governmental Legislation, as a person in the ESA Support Group, I understand, I should automatically be placed into the Contribution-based New Style ESA in the Support Group, which does not require work-related activities or responsibilities. Furthermore, getting a New-Style ESA is not being migrated at this time. Contributory ESA is not part of the migrating. It shows that my Contribution-based ESA in Support group will not be affected by UC Migration . Please advise.
4). Yesterday, on 29 September 2025, I received a call from the number 08001690328 and spoke to Mr Naqib. He introduced himself as a member from UC and offered me a help to make a claim to UC. He asked my personal details to proceed the claim. I notified him that I am on Contribution-based ESA in Support Group and asked him should I be moved to a New Style ESA in Support Group automatically? He apologised and said sorry as he didn’t know that I am in Contribution-based ESA support group. Therefore, I did not provide any details and did not make any claim to UC. Please advise.
5). Lastly, you advised, I quote: “ Is there a way to complete my UC claim Migration without accepting work responsibilities inconsistent with my current status?
It should not happen once your Support Group status has been added to the UC claim.”

I was not able to proceed UC application online because I did not tick on – “Your Responsibilities”. To comply with what I believed might be a formal migration process, I started to create a Universal Credit account on gov.uk before making any claim. However, I was halted at the stage titled "Your responsibilities", where I was asked to tick a box confirming: "I understand these commitments." with the following stated: “It’s important to know that in return for Universal Credit there are some things you’ll need to do. Your work coach (should it be a case manager in my circumstances?) will discuss and agree these with you.” requesting me to tick the box“ on “I understand these commitments” therefore, I was not able to continue the application. This appeared to be related to work commitments. Therefore, I did not tick the box, I did not make any claim as I do not fully understand the implications, nor do I believe it is appropriate for someone in my circumstances. Without ticking this box, the system did not allow me to proceed to move to the Journal to make a formal UC claim. Therefore, I was not able to make a claim on UC. David, would you advise me to tick and to agree the work related responsibilities in order to make a claim? Please advise.
Another online source, advised the following, I quote: “No, your "Your Responsibilities" are likely to be minimal or non-existent if you are in the ESA Support Group and moving to Universal Credit (UC), as your Support Group status should automatically grant you the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element, meaning you will not have work-related requirements. The key is to ensure this status is transferred correctly.” Please advise. Thank you.

I would appreciate your prompt response as I have 4 days left before the deadline. Thank you.

Many thanks, David, for your advice and time to write me back. I will follow your advice call tomorrow to the number on the letter I received.
Wishing you the very best.