Have you been through the universal credit (UC) managed migration process or are you going through it right now?

Could you share your experiences with other readers?

You may have had a very straightforward migration and your positive result will be encouraging for others waiting to be moved.

Or you may have encountered difficulties which it would be helpful for readers to know about in advance, so that they can be prepared for them.

We have a growing number of resources for members being migrated from employment and support allowance (ESA) to UC on our ESA/UC guides page.  But we know that there is no substitute for  hearing from people who are further along the route than you are.

So, please do share your story in the comments section below – it may make a real difference to your  fellow claimants.

In your comment, any of the following details will help us to try to find a pattern to who is being migrated first:

  • details of which benefit(s) you were migrated from,
  • whether you were in the ESA support group or LCW group,
  • roughly when it happened, or whether it is still happening now,
  • roughly what area of the country you live in,
  • the first letter of your surname

Please only comment on this article if you are sharing your experience of migrating or asking a question from someone who has shared - other comments won't be published here.

More general comments can be posted at ESA to UC managed migration has begun

Comments

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    We were forced to UC from tax credits. We have lost £600 a month and the DWP couldn't care less. Absolutely shocking and disgraceful service coupled with appalling support and a work coach who had less experience than my husband telling him he needs to earn even more.l money. Incredible! The DWP should be dissolved and started from scratch. The entire system is just a money saving exercise,  they really don't care if people can't afford to live properly or not! Shambles 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    I had my migration letter in June and migrated within date on 17th September. Everything completed, apparently all good. All said "completed" on journal. Then, on the day before my first statement was due, at a minute past 9:00 am, (me checking journal daily, several times a day). I got a message saying "we've closed your claim". After 5 weeks, no message I got this. I froze, I couldn't breath, the damage these people do... I called UC every day, they'd give me deadlines, 'someone will get back to you, nothing. I could not eat or sleep and 2/7 caring duties still. Unbearable.
    Finally someone phoned and they said "due to a backlog", that was it. No apologies, nothing. He said he'd refer it to the technical department to reopen it. He said they'd sent me an ID appointment, I had it. I explained at the Job Centre, the person rolled their eyes as if not surprised when I said what I'd been through due to "backlog". As if she knew but wasn't allowed to comment. I'm exhausted. Now expecting my adult daughter's migration from ESA, I'm her appointee. 
    Thank you for your GUIDE!!! I'll be downloading it, a lifesaver. I've followed your guides before for PIP. Without it, we would not be here. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    I was on esa support group I had my letter on October 7th 2024 started the process of migrating over to uc . November 12th I had my statement for uc £272 a month. I thought when we claim uc esa would be closed down  but it doesn’t so I get £598 month from my old style esa . Which then takes it off your uc . So when they say after 2 weeks your esa closes down  and get 2 week run  it never happened to me they don’t tell you nothing . And when you phon uc they say they can’t deal with esa as they not been trained and same wen you phone esa. It’s been a nightmare wish I never went over to uc  . They have me the transitional payment protection of £232 . 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    Well I moved home in January to a UC area. I was in the ESA support group before I transferred. I used the cab phone line to transfer to UC. Please don't do this because it lead to having to provide fit notes and attend job centre for mandatory sessions with job centre staff. After a few days I got a message to say I was in the support group and I shouldn't need to do anything in my journal. But before I left the job centre I was told I could be called in for a medical anytime in the future 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 9 days ago
    I am transitioning from CTC and ESA. I have been in the support group since 2013, because of my bipolar, anxiety and possible PTSD. I was told by the CAB to ask UC for an extension due to having to send off a DLA form for my daughter, we had no problem what so ever being offered the extension. I applied for UC on Sunday, and in less than 24 hours I was sent multiple text messages telling me that I needed to do something on my journal, as well as being told I had to attend a face to face meeting about my first work commitments. I explained to my work coach about my health conditions and how I have a full time carer I did this through my journal I also asked if I could have a telephone appointment, this was refused and I was told I would need to spend 35 hours a week looking for work and that these appointments would be regular. I already struggle to leave my house, communicate with people and take care of myself, so looking for work would have been impossible. The only reassurance I got from this work coach was that she was there to help me find work. Unfortunately for me I badly hurt my hands and legs due to the distress, but on a positive note my husband phoned the UC helpline and the man we spoke to was really kind and helpful. He explained to us that he didn't understand why I was being told I needed to find work when I had already been told I was unfit for work, he then sent a message to my job centre and asked that I have a new work coach. This evening while I was being seen in hospital, a new work coach messaged me to apologise for the previous messages I had been sent, and she cancelled my up coming appointment and explained that I didn't need to look for work. I would suggest to anyone who is coming into problems then please call the UC helpline, you may have to make a few phone calls before you get through to someone who will actually listen. I would also like to that I find the fact that you can message someone any time of the day to be very dangerous for me, because I did start an argument with this work coach which I know I shouldn't do. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 14 days ago
    I had my standard identity appointment on November 5th (migrating from IB ESA) only didn't put up a fight about going to the job centre because I was hoping it would just be 20 minutes and done. I was there more than two hours. I was told how | needed to provide fit notes and make a commitment to searching for work. I knew this was wrong form what I had read, I told them so, but they continued as though I was a new claimant searching for work. Luckily the guy I saw was lovely, even if I had no Idea about ESA migration (the woman I saw before was rather patronising) he spoke to someone and found out how I don't need to provide fit notes, but continued to talk about my commitments to search for work. I told him I didn't have to, but to go through it anyway as we'd be there all day. Even though the person I spoke with was lovely, the whole experience was awful and incredibly stressful, there will be people with more severe conditions than me that will go through this, I can only sympathise, as I am still exhausted and in pain 2 days later.

    i made a journal entry asking for some clarification and was told I would get a call, the call never happened. I really feel like I should make a complaint, but I just want it to be sorted. I hope people have much better experience than I did.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    Managed transition 11 oct 2024 Glasgow Scotland. 
    What can I say. It was a shock. I knew I would loss tax credit for my 2 older girls. One is in college and turns 20 in dec the other just turned 18 and off to uni. My youngest 15.
    I am LCW was previously paid £1154 child tax credits every 4 weeks and income related ESA. I had severe disability payment, personal allowance, disability payment cap and it all amounted to 480.20 every 2 weeks. 

    So, the form was so easy nothing difficult and nothing to answer about my disabilities. 

    I was told to remove my eldest daughter from a dependent to an additional family member. 

    My award with transitional payment is £777 per calendar month. 

    I get £383 personal allowance.
    £333 child dependent 
    £233 transitional protection

    My total award would be 1345 per mth but because of some ESA I continue to be paid it is deducted. 

    I cried for days. I questioned the calculations asked how anyone can live on that to be told it’s not up to me how you spend your money…

    So, I’m now being supported by my daughters at college and uni. If I hadn’t paid my mortgage off I would have my house up for sale now. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    Has anyone had any good experiences with migrating from ESA to UC I haven't seen any yet. The government are in a rush to push through migration to UC that they don't care about the stress it's causing people. Surely there's a simply way. Never liked UC. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    The UC asked me twice to prove fit note and I was very confused so I wrote to them that I’m in ESA Support Group and I moved to UC without break so I don’t need to provide fit 
    note because is illegal and you are breaking law. So they text me back the said just ignore it. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    What is the regulation for iR ESA WRAG LCW for not having to produce a sicknote?

    I know it is Reg 19 for ESA Support Group LCWRA
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    I’m currently going thru migration from esa to uc an have 2 kids 1 who is autistic an another who is visually impaired and I’m to sit with no money at all from my last payment on the 24th oct until 2nd of dec an to top it off they only paying part of my rent I have heart failure an struggle daily but again I’m not entitled to pip an now struggling with this migration process as wasnt assessed as. A payment protected migraines was a new claim. ?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    I was migrated from ESA support group to universal credit. first I wasn't given
    Limited capability for work and work-related activity £416.19.
    So I didn't get housing. This was rectified. I get some directly to housing, 
    now I am dealing with council tax, mine has increased 3 times. universal credit has 
    said nothing to do with them. I have called council tax department and they are
    looking into this and will get back to me.
    If you are in the support group and migrated over you do not need a sick-line. 
    I am now waiting for my Adult Disability Payment. (November)
    I cant apply for my Blue Badge and need this for travel around Christmas
    | hope that everyone migrates to UC easy and have a lovely Christmas 



    Scotland ED
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    I’ve just completed the “managed” migration from IrESE (support group), with Child Tax Credits.  Firstly expect several letters informing you that “our records show that you are not in receipt of IrESA please contact your benefits office to update THEIR records.  Obviously frantic phone calls to the DWP over several weeks, only to be told that I am in receipt of IrESA and have been for 4 years due to a Neurological Condition.  Then the first statement omitted the Transitional Protection Element, further phone calls and Journal entry resulted in the amount being added to my claim.  Several letters from the HMRC informing me that my Child Tax Credit had ended, several phone calls later, an advisor admitted tome that the letter was poorly worded as there was no mention it was because I was migrating to UC.  Overall the sheer anxiety and apprehension was for me overwhelming, and my daughter took over who has a Masters Degree in Mathematics, her phone call to the UC helpline was not pleasant and subsequently the issues were resolved.  I had that support, what concerns me is what about those people who do not?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 14 days ago
      @David My carer has worked as a manager for various senior Civil Service posts. At a tough time he took a HB office role and said it was a shambles. My neurological condition from birth plus a later tumour means my ability to do maths or read forms is awful. A year or so back I had constant stress migraine due to noisy neighbours and my sight was so bad the Dr assumed tumour was back. Without my carer I would be stuck. Glad your daughter was able to help. KBO!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 28 days ago
    So ive had my migration letter.  Im very concerned.  Im on pip and esa with severe disability payment.  Although it states they have this transition paymeny.  They also state this drops if the general uc amount goes uo.  Meaning its a stealth way of removing it.  I will be on the same as everyone else at some point even though i have to pay everything on my own.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Eveshell Thank you for your very detailed and helpful account. Your calm and steady approach is reassuring and goes to show you can insist on your needs and proper process, and that there is help when you need it.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    We are in the process of migrating from Income Related and Contribution based ESA (joint claim, both in Support Group) to Universal Credit. We completed our forms online. As soon as we were able to post on our journals we added: "As we are migrating from ESA Support Group, we transfer to the equivalent group on UC under Reg 19, therefore, do not need fit notes, not do we need to see a Work Coach. " We also put on our journals: "As we are being migrated over from ESA to UC, we are entitled to Transitional Protection." We received messages on our journals, telling us appointments had been made at the Job centre to verify our ID. We posted on our journals that because of our anxiety and disabilities, we cannot attend face to face appointments and please can we have telephone appointments instead. The original appointments were cancelled and were changed to telephone appointments. We were told that if we couldn't complete the ID verification over the phone, they would arrange a home visit. They rung us, asked some ID questions, they were security questions and we had to upload confirmation of our names and address, these were our Council Tax Bills. They then confirmed our ID was approved. We had to upload documents from our landlord to confirm our rent amount, name, address and signatures. We did this. They then posted on our journals that the Housing element was approved. We are now waiting for our first Universal Credit payment, should be in about 3 weeks. Our Contribution based side of ESA will continue to be paid as normal. Only the Income Related part will be moved to Universal Credit. We have had help from both Citizens Advice and Welfare Rights, both have been brilliant. They worked out what the Universal Credit payment should be, with everything added over with transitional protection and helped us with any questions we had. They also said they will continue to help if something isn't correct with the payments. The Citizens Advice Bureau's contact details are on the migration letter. We communicated with them through email as this was better for us. We highly recommend you contact them, it will make the process lots easier. We hope our experience helps. We are in Lancashire.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 14 days ago
      @Eveshell Excellent and clear info. Bless you for sharing it. I had forgotten that CB isn't moved over to UC at all! The daft thing is I am on Contribution based ESA (SG) but because my partner gets Carers Allowance and IS / HB for us I assume we will be transitioned over soon anyway
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 27 days ago
      @Eveshell Hello, Thanks for your helpful post. Am about to do the online claim next week. could I ask when do you get access to the online journal as i have been told to write in it as well?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Regarding UC Reviews. If you dont have a camera. What happens when they ask for a selfie with your ID? I can't seem to find much information on this.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Can anyone help me with this situation.   I am helping a gentleman migrate over and he has mental health issues, which means he can't remember things and will not be able to use an online journal.  I asked if he could get letters as that would be the best form of communication for him.  They have said that is not possible.   But surely under the disability act they would have to. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Jaxmags Hi Jaxmags, I would call Citizens Advice Help to Claim-0800 144 8444 to get advice about this for the gentleman you are helping. I have registered with them in advance of the ESA to UC migration and found them helpful.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Well reading all these horror stories I no know what to expect with migration there's only one positive comment
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Jon I have been sent the dreaded migration letter and at the moment am on working tax credit . I feel that migrating to UC will complicate things as I am self employed and on zero hour contracts ? 

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