Migration From ESA To UC - my experience so far

My experience of migrating from ESA to UC has so far been a good one so I thought I'd share to hopefully put some people's mind at ease and I have a question about payment information on the government website if that's ok.

I received my first migration notice in April 2025 with a deadline date of 5th July. On the 5th July I was sat at the computer with my daughter, poised to claim online, when a letter dropped through the letterbox extending the deadline to 1st Augus. Then, I can't remember the exact date it was a few weeks ago, in July I also got a letter from the DWP advising I'd receive a phonecall relating to my claim but rather than wait and get anxious I rang them to find out what it was about. It turned out the letter was from a department tasked with contacting those in the support group to find out why they hadn't migrated once the deadline date had passed and to offer any support needed to do so. The gentleman I spoke to was actually lovely, unaware my deadline had been extended and when I told him my daughter was helping me he seemed satisfied I wouldn't need any extra support but gave me a lot of information on where I could get help if I needed it.

I duly claimed on the 31st July. All straightforward basic questions name, date of birth, address etc and nothing in detail regarding medical questions just asked to list my medical conditions. My Universal Credit account was created and with access to my journal I could leave messages asking questions. As I receive majority contributions-based ESA with a small Income related top-up I had questions about this. I was responded to on three messages and each within 48 hours with a named person. They were obviously from a call centre environment but thats the way things are these days. Each person was helpful, knowledgeable and answered my queries so I consider the timeframe for responses prompt given they weren't too urgently required.

Since I couldn't provide documents online to prove my identity I received a telephone call today (13th August) for a biographical interview. I received a text beforehand to tell me to login to my journal to read a message advising me of the day and time of the phonecall and I also received a reminder text the day before. The phonecall was actually ten minutes early so I'd say grab a cuppa well in advance. Listed as for 35 minutes it actally lasted almost an hour because (as you do) we got chatting about other things. This man was chatty and very friendly we spoke about our grown up children and he told me all about his immigrating to this country 20 years ago and his experience. To be honest it was all rather lovely The officlal interview itself was again straightfoward I was asked a set of questions I could easily answer because, after all, they were about me.

I queried payments regarding frequency and was advised that from the 31st August I could login to my journal and there will be a statement of how much I will receive and the first payment is due on the 5th September. In the interim I will continue to receive ESA at the same amount I have always received with the next one due on the 19th August. Effectively, there is no break in receiving payments. This was a welcome surprise since I knew I would receive a two week run on after claiming UC but this has, in effect, given me a four week run on and I'll have received two, fornightly, payments. How this affects the first Universal credit payment remains to be seen so I shant be spending a single penny I dont have to until I'm sure I can.

I was given the oppertunity then to apply for an advance but since I will be receiving payments as usual at the same amount it's better for my budget if I don't.

Now to my question, which if i'd known i would have asked on that phonecall, but hoping someone here can help please. I followed the links in my journal to the 'Universal Credit:What You'll get' on the government website and see that I will be entitled as a single person to £400.14 per month with an additional health related amount but this is where it gets confusing. It says:

'How much you’ll get Extra monthly amount
If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity £423.27
If you have limited capability for work and you started your health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £158.76'

Is this an either/or situation or do you receive both amounts ? Logically, I am confused as to why you would receive a lower amount if your claim was made before 2017 so it being so simply doesnt make sense. Can anyone advise please ? Thank you