Result - IR-ESA to UC migration

I thought I would share my experience of the migration process.

I filled out my claim after receiving the migration letter, a week or so before the deadline. I followed the guide downloaded from this site, which included previewing the form via a link, showing you what all the questions are and how each section progresses.

I was previously put in the support group for ESA (despite me telling them in writing I thought they were mistaken), and I also have higher rate mobility PIP and do 12 hr/s week as permitted work.

There is no permitted work in UC, and it's not referred to as such on the form, so I put down that I work, as I do get paid.

Afterwards I explained in the journal that I was doing work that was previously referred to as permitted work. I also explained that previously some weeks had been more as they were 5-week months, and that following a chat with the ESA people about the change to UC, I'd changed it to make sure it was always a 4-week month, for the three months prior to the migration and onwards.

I also added, from the guide, that as I was already on ESA I shouldn't need another assessment or fit notes. I asked for consideration of my problems, should I be called in for a meeting, or a telephone interview, and explained why I might not answer or attend. I asked them to pin it to the top - no idea if they did or not. I don't see it at the top, I don't know if they see something different.

The reply I got the next working day was lovely, saying that as a migration I wouldn't be required to have another assessment, and it would roll over from ESA. She also noted the issues I have and said there shouldn't be any requirement for interviews. She also said I wouldn't need to worry about the work pay, and that manual updates aren't required as the info is provided to them from HMRC.

A few days ago I got the working out for the payment, which is more than I got on ESA. The amount I earn is under the work allowance for the support group and is disregarded. I had an additional request on my to-do list for every work payment in the last 12 months, which I took from my bank statement. Fortunately I'd already explained about 5-week months, as some payments were larger than others (but still meeting the correct weekly amount for permitted work at the time).

Overall it's been pretty seamless and stress free. The biggest hurdle was proving my identity, after doing all the other sections. It gives you a choice of IDs to choose, and I chose my passport and wageslip.

Passport was easy enough. It ignored the wage slip and asked for more info. I opted for financial info held by credit agencies as I didn't have anything else like a driving licence. Luckily I already had accounts with the three credit agencies so was able to log in before I asnswered the questions on the UC form. The questions they asked were things like, when did you take a phone agreement, or a personal loan, and which of these addresses are associated with you. Note they had multiple choice answers (including 'I don't have one'), which helped.

I would recommend looking at your credit files and being familiar with them, in case you are asked. It's good practice anyway, to make sure they are up to date. I don't know if links are allowed, so the agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion UK, and they are free to check. The TransUnion one (previously called Noddle) is the one they used in my case.

I know that not everyone will have the same experience, but I hope that for those that are worried, it might ease the stress a little.

I was also given the option to answer credit questions for part of an id check, things like when did you last take out loans and how old my last opened current account is. Answers ranging from one year to over five years, those questions and my provisional driving licence are alli was I asked to verify my id.

Hi David, it's important to check your credit file, anyone that is, not just with regard to UC or benefits.

A lot of financial data is held on you, and is used, in part, to make up the credit score used by mortgage companies, banks and lenders. It's wise to make sure the details they hold on you are correct. I've had to correct items in the past, like one said I wasn't registered to vote at my current address.

It's also a way to make sure that rogue companies aren't using your details to take out loans in your name.

Think I cancelled rather than set the last reply.

It's a good idea to check what details are held about you, in case they are incorrect. It's not just for Managed Migration. The details in those files go, in part, towards lender credit scores, so it makes sense to check them from time to time.