ESA to UC migration – your questions answered

Details: Published: 22 September 2024

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.

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MJ · 4 months ago
If you are in the support group will you have to produce a sick note and go to a job centre to produce ID?

What if you have not had a work capacity assessment (or whatever the official term is) on ESA for years? Will they say you are overdue one and will have to have one before you can move over to UC?
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  jean howells · 3 months ago
  
  @Michael Sorry but Jon is correct, my husband had his migration notice, to say, that his ESA payments would end on the 16th October 2024 and that he had to claim U.C. otherwise he would have no money, that's how ruthless they are, so Jon right, Michael Wrong
  
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  jean howells · 3 months ago
  
  @MJ yes, they did this to my husband, he had to go for a medical board every couple of years, every year at the beginning, but they had to pay for a Doctor to asses him, when they give to contract to Capita, so after he went twice, when they had took over, probably didn't want the expense of a professional, they never sent for him again, but starting hassling him, when they wanted to move him to U.C. All the government's are the same, a bunch of ruthless so and so's
  
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  Harry.Upp · 3 months ago
  
  @MJ
  This scare-em,oops,forum is filling heads with misinformation.contradictions etc.just wait till you have official news(letter) from the dwp.get citizen advice help to claim u.c. To help you.depending on your situation you might be entitled to the 2week continuation of your esa and housing benefit(.i.e) the wait between you claiming u.c and your first u.c payment is normally 5 weeks but the run-on continues for 2weeks,so 3 weeks till first u.c.payment(for those on esa income related and housing benefit or just esa income related) so between you and citizens advice you can work out the best time to claim u.c(i.e the first day after your last esa payment.but best in mind your housing benefit if this is applicable
  The citizens advice will help you.fret not yet.🤗
  
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  TD · 4 months ago
  
  @SVK The migration ends some time in 2025, so please don't panic...
  
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  Natasha · 4 months ago
  
  @Michael I put my passport details and driver's licence online and they want me to attend the meeting next week with ID despite providing it all. I was honest and applied early. Now I wish to God I had advice before I rushed into the online application after the 'migration ' letter.
  
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