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UC mandatory migration guide for members update

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Benefits and Work has updated our members’ guide to ‘Successful ESA to UC Managed Migration’ to take account of current claimant concerns.

In general, the impression we are getting from feedback from members is that managed migration is progressing relatively smoothly, at least in terms of very few people now being asked to produce fit-notes or agree to work commitments when having been in the support group.

But it is still very early in the process of moving 60,000+ ESA claimants onto UC every month and only time will tell whether the DWP have invested enough is support processes and visiting staff to be able to cope with demand from more vulnerable claimants.

In the meantime, we have added the following items to the troubleshooting section of the managed migration guide:

  • You were receiving contribution-based ESA and the DWP have moved you to ‘New-Style ESA’
  • You have moved to UC and have now realised you should have been receiving more irESA (or other legacy benefits) before you moved
  • You are having a deduction from your UC housing costs element for a spare bedroom or the wrong rate of local housing allowance is being applied.
  • You rent a property but were not receiving Housing Benefit before you moved to UC
  • Your partner is being asked to look for work when they did not have to do this on legacy benefits
  • Your legacy benefits run-on lasted for more than 2 weeks and the DWP say you have to pay the extra money back
  • Help! I’m having deductions from my UC for debts I didn’t know I had!

We’ve also updated the guide to “Employment & Support Allowance and Universal Credit Claims On Physical and Mental Health Grounds” which covers the WCA in great detail.  We’ve added a step-by-step system for completing each of the “Use this space” boxes, more information about issues that may be covered at an assessment and more about what HAAS health professionals are told about each activity in their handbook.

Members can download both guides from this page  

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sue
    · 22 hours ago
    Was told by CA to wait till April till I make a claim for UC my migration letter came deadline is may 21st I don't know till April what my new rent amount will be or new ESA rates so they suggested wait till then to have correct details on UC claim form. I wanted to get it done sooner but that's what they told me. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      sara
      · 15 hours ago
      @Sue That's right, Sue, go with what CA said so you get new higher rent and esa with your UC award, at least for 2025/26. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    keepingitreal
    · 23 hours ago
    In other news, the government aren't getting it all their own way:

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    keepingitreal
    · 23 hours ago
    And again

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Tom
    · 23 hours ago
    Charger7 thx for your help . And i definitely no working with a work coach definitely won’t work for me I still have epilepsy seizures where I sit down&blackout for a few minutes and that’s what makes my headache last a few days a week .plus with my with my special needs am not good with reading writing adding up and spelling. My cerebral palsy means my right side of my body is in none stop pain. To me wrap it up My first msg and this one I told my sister what to write and she has done them not me thx again 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Charger 7
      · 16 hours ago
      @Tom No probs Tom you have to many complex issues they have to protect the most vulnerable they will be pushing disabled into work but they have to draw the line for certain people so I believe you will be fine mate 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Tom
    · 1 days ago
    Dave dee once again speaking the truth. I have a multiple special needs&cerebral palsy&epilepsy.and i get really bad headaches that last 2/3 days I cant work. I get pip And yes I to though Labour would be kind to disabled people but with Liz kendell is charge I worry for the future. All of you say safe 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Aj
      · 22 hours ago
      @Tom @Tom I’m never voting Labour again 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Charger 7
      · 1 days ago
      @Tom Think you will be okay tom you have a lot of issues going on they said they would protect the most vulnerable but I was reading last year before labour came into power that they were going to see what you can do and can't do and there was going to be a major overhaul of sickness benefits and yes I do believe they going to scrap WCA and sounds like duty to engage means you will have to engage with work coach but all this won't happen overnight it will take a longer time they also mentioned that you could try work and Go back on benefits without reasesment I dreading it myself I'm an amputee and had 2 strokes but I don't think we will lose our money just like that 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      S
      · 1 days ago
      @Tom Thankyou Tom , well said , well spoken too .... s x .... 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave Dee
    · 1 days ago
    I read CaroA's comment/testimony and it reminds me of the person I care for, he was run over and his life changed in a blink of an eye, the broken bones healed but he suffered a head injury and brain damage. 

    Did he want to be disabled? No, does he want to be on benefits? No and he would give it all away just to be 100% fit and working as it isn't living it's just existing. So it gets my goat when the media and politicians pour scorn onto disabled people out of work. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CaroA
      · 1 days ago
      @Dave Dee Thank you it's incredible how unseen so many of us are.  Gaslighting has become an art form with them. I'm so sorry about your friend. He sounds like a brave person struggling to survive please send him all my best wishes for as good a day as he can have today.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ross
    · 1 days ago
    Q. We have 2 bedrooms, but because I sometimes have overnight carers my council waives the Bedroom Tax.
    How does this work with UC??
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 1 days ago
      @Peter Apologies,  I didn't realise the OP was of pension age.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Peter
      · 1 days ago
      @Ross To make it clear, this is the law. Councils must offer 100% council tax reduction if pensioners are eligible for a reduction. IIRC once they qualify, it's not affected by their income or savings.

      This is quite different to how other people are treated and the government of the time ensured it was this way.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Peter
      · 1 days ago
      @Michael Actually pensioners can ge 100% council tax reduction. When the scheme was brought in, the government were too afraid of the pensioner vote to apply the changes to them. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro
      · 1 days ago
      @Ross Mine wont tolerate that.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 1 days ago
      @Ross The same applies, however, no council offers 100% CT reduction on UC. You will most likely get a 75% reduction. You need to select this option (regarding bedroom tax) when it asks you on your online application as part of the questions about housing. I'm assuming you will need to provide evidence, although I cannot be certain.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    A6
    · 2 days ago
    My migration has been far from smooth cause we don't have a reliable Internet connection we had to do a phone claim that was helped with Cab on the call with us. Since then the first 2 week 19 calls with UC and advisers on the call not writing up notes correctly 5 weeks in first payment but not all the rent got paid so had to do an MR this was done with council assistance as once again the call line advisors not writing up notes, once this was sorted we where then told everything is done now not to worry however 2nd payment came and it was over paid we called them straight away and asked to pay the money back was told no have to speak to work coach they have to agree how much to pay back and then call a debt team to sort out repayment 2 days later got letter from debt team wanting not just the over payment back but also our rent called again 3 calls this time but again only one call had notes on the account they have now agreed that we are correct tge debt team have the amount wrong but still cannot pay back the over payment until a form is sent to the debt team to change the amount which can take 10 days
    . This is worse than my experience with pip the stress this has caused me is beyond words I am dreading them paying me next month as it will be more phone calls told them I want to make a complaint and was hung up on now we have been told to complain we have to go to gov website site to put a complaint in about UC but that it can take a long time to get a response to that if we ever do horrendous system especially for disabled people 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mj
    · 2 days ago
    Many people are referring to an online journal … can someone explain what this is please? Thanks
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sam
      · 2 days ago
      @Mj It's what your universal credit online account is basically. You can write messages to your work coach or whoever it is that checks it when you don't have a work coach, and they can send messages to you. If you are ok with tech stuff it's actually a much less stressful way if communicating than letters because you don't have to worrying that they got lost and you don't have to deal with phones 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Lak
      · 2 days ago
      @Mj It's in your UC account and gives you different options to contact the DWP to ask them about things you want to clear up, or for them to contact you. 

      I generally use the "contact work coach" even though I am on LWCRA and don't have a work coach as such. I find it's actually pretty good for communication and they get back to you usually within a day. Rather than waiting in a que for the phone to connect.

      You normally receive a email notification to check your online UC account if they've sent you a message or reply to your query.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Alex
    · 2 days ago
    Just Switched And Found Out Housing Benefits And Council Tax Is Not Back Dated So Left With a 7 Week Short Fall And Going To Be In Debt On My Rent And Council Tax
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 1 days ago
      @Alex Correction: you need to contact your council regarding CT
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 1 days ago
      @Alex Furthermore, your CT has nothing to do with UC. It had nothing to do with ESA, either. Ct is through local government, I.e your council, not central government, I.e UC. They were devolved years back.

      You need to contact your council regarding UC.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 1 days ago
      @Alex You receive MORE in housing in actual fact. Once you complete your UC form online, your housing claim closes. 2 weeks later you get a 2 week run off payment. Approx 3 weeks after that, you receive A FULL MONTHS rent as UC pays in arrears, so in effect, you are a week better off.

      You are either getting confused with the process or have spent your housing without realising it was the 2 week run off money for housing.

      I can assure you, you are up, not down.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Shirley
    · 2 days ago
    I’ve been asked by DWP to justify my permitted work in order to keep receiving ESA. I’ve never had do do this before, any advice?

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Liz
    · 2 days ago
    What prep should I do before attempting to do UC online form. My ESA benefit rise doesn't go up till April. Same with my local council rent. My deadline for migration is may don't want to leave it till last minute. Someone said you can update these details on your journal when you get them. Don't know how long to leave it before attempting to do the UC citizens advice said it depends.some people leave it as long as possible.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      sara
      · 1 days ago
      @Liz It's understandable wanting not to leave things to the last minute, but try to wait until after the changes to your esa and rent, so you get the extra at the start of your UC award. If you migrate before the rises you will not get the extra money when your rent and esa go up - it will be subtracted from your transitional protection. Check this out if you can with an advisor, it's difficult to explain.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Angel
    · 2 days ago
    Can someone tell me where do you upload documents on your UC account. Do you go to the to do list and upload anything. Tried going to journal but nothing tells u there 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Angel
      · 1 days ago
      @Astee Upload my ID proof driving license and council tax. Any medical letters they might want to see
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      dmwors
      · 2 days ago
      @Angel You can’t. You need to explain on your journal what you want to upload and request a link from them to upload. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Astee
      · 2 days ago
      @Angel Hi, what do you need to upload? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    CaroA
    · 2 days ago
    For many of us who need disability benefits, the story didn’t start with illness or injury—it started long before, in childhoods where we became adults too soon. I grew up learning how to keep the world from falling apart, where ordinary worries were overshadowed by the weight of survival. Instead of playing or dreaming, I was working—whether it was caring for others, managing household chores, or finding ways to hold everything together when the adults around me couldn’t. I learned early how to step into roles no child should have to fill, taking on responsibilities that felt more like a job than a childhood.

    When adulthood came, I did what I thought I was supposed to do—I tried to fit in, to work hard, to thrive. I wore the mask of normality, even when the fractures beneath were deep. I pushed myself to be the reliable friend, the diligent employee, the person who could hold it all together. But beneath the surface, so much of my energy went into keeping the past from swallowing me whole.

    Now, needing support feels exposing. I know that to many, I might just seem like a person who isn’t coping well enough or trying hard enough. But what they don’t see are the decades of effort, the years of pushing through, the hidden cost of appearing okay. They don’t see how much of my adult life has been about managing the fallout from a childhood and adolescence that affected me so much.

    I’ve come to realize that asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. It’s an acknowledgment that, after carrying so much for so long, the weight has become too heavy. It’s finding the courage to say that I can’t keep up the impossible standards I’ve held myself to.

    I am not just a claimant or a statistic. I am a person with a story—a survivor of a past that took too much, an adult who tried their best, and someone who, despite everything, is still here. Still reaching out, still hoping, still worthy.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CaroA
      · 1 days ago
      @Beccs ❤️
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Beccs
      · 1 days ago
      @CaroA Wonderfully expressed, thank you for sharing that because being thst open about tgat kind of thing is hard for lots of folk.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Frances
      · 1 days ago
      @CaroA @CaroA, xxx
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CaroA
      · 2 days ago
      @Frances
      Thank you so much for your kind reply Frances.  It means a lot. 

      A friend of mine works in a prison, and she often speaks about how many people there have come through the care system or survived childhood abuse and neglect. It’s a stark reminder that until society truly recognizes the lifelong impact of these experiences, too many of us will remain imprisoned—not only by literal walls but by systems that punish and brutalize rather than support.

      Thank you again for your encouragement. It really lifted me.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Frances
      · 2 days ago
      @CaroA Too right @CaroA. Your post resonated so loud with me. When you've done all the giving, time comes for some taking, and you are worthy, never stop believing that.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Need help and listen
    · 3 days ago
    Hi all right I see the news about the 87 condition the government want to do that is Labour Party cut it buy 5 billion or 10billon the question is if they do this where is the money going to go to that what I want to know beacuse I’m disabled person and people be move in debt and poverty and more thanks 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sal
    · 3 days ago
    My doctor suggested I should apply for pip but I know the nightmare it is . Going to the assessment and waiting. The whole process. People have been waiting months to get assessed or getting a decision. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Astee
      · 2 days ago
      @Sal It can be stressful but use all that is available in this guide, find an advocate if you need more help and you will be fine. Do a little at a time and once touve sent forms of try as best you can to put it to the back of your mind until you hear something-i know easier said than done, but worrying and stressing about the unknown only makes the process harder. There is a lot of support in here, use it and good luck!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ala
      · 2 days ago
      @Sal If you need the money, do it!  As, in the future, you might need it more than today, but by then, you might not have the strenght, not just phisical but also mental to do it.   Get ready using this and other websites.  Call Scope charity helpline, they've been fantastic help, to me in the past, too! 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TD
      · 2 days ago
      @Sal
      Hi sal, I suggest just to get the form by phoning and asking for it. claim starts that day (just online a brief list of disabilities/ailments). 0800 121 4433
      You have support from your doc, which is unheard of, so take the opportunity to ask them for a report. 
      Watch youtube vids with help on each descriptor.
      HELPFUL YOUTUBE CHANNELS: 
      stuart mcgoo
      pip secrets
      Mike Bolton Benefits Training
      DramaQueenStudioz
      dynamic duo uk

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    BOB
    · 3 days ago
    Just received my migration letter to move from ESA to UC. I tried citizens advice.they can only help me over the phone with online claim not in person. Don't have access to internet at home I told them. Can't get through to my local jobcentre. No body in my local library to help. I'm panicking now. I've got till mid may. But want to get it done. Nerves a wreck.  Was told can make a claim over the phone but don't know if it's the same as online.  

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kath
      · 1 days ago
      @dmwors How long does it roughly take to complete a Online UC claim if u are only claiming for your self. Will have to use my libraries computers. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Lisa
      · 1 days ago
      @BOB Is this contribution base esa?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ash
      · 1 days ago
      @Astee @michael. Thanks for that what maybe simple for some people not to others not nice thing to say
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      sara
      · 1 days ago
      @dmwors Thanks, @dmwors, useful extra info there about being able to phone in addition to online journal.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mj
      · 2 days ago
      @dmwors Can anyone explain what this online journal is? Thanks
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dan
    · 3 days ago
    Managed migration hasn’t been a smooth ride for me; been harassed for fit notes by the job centre,  not agreeing to pay my social housing rent directly to my landlord even when I have explained that I have had problems with this in the past, only paying me the standard rate of UC, no LCWRA payment or transitional protection added even though I have transitioned from the support group ESA. I must be the exception.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Beccs
      · 1 days ago
      @Dan Just starting my own migration but just wanted to say that I hope you get it sorted. Horribly stressful for you. If I had to do it alone I'd be totally confused even if they got it right so I totally sympathise! Have the CAB Help to Claim line been able to help at all? Its a scandal! 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      dmwors
      · 2 days ago
      @Dan Hi. I helped a family member and had the same experience having to involve an MP but by the time I migrated I had learnt that when you apply your details take a while to transfer across from ESA to UC so you have to assume when you apply that they know nothing about you and once applied write on journal that you are being transferred from ESA support group so will not be required to supply fit notes or seek employment and also for them to take reasonable adjustments with regard to appointments due to disabilities. I believe the migration has been rushed and UC workers have no knowledge of ESA so treat migrants same as people going onto UC (LCW). This is where the problem lies! 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Astee
      · 2 days ago
      @Dan Sorry to hear you are having such issues, Unfortunately you are not the exception. I had months of back and forth with UC when i migrated as my payments were totally messed up it was a nighmare. Jist keep at it and dont let them fob you off! Good luck!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James h
      · 3 days ago
      @rookie @rookie Why don’t you ask him then?I will find out on Friday anyway when it’s my turn for the shambles 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      rookie
      · 3 days ago
      @James h @James h, did Dan say he'd backed down?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    James h
    · 3 days ago
    Mine is being done on Friday  will give an update after that got the passport ready recent esa letter water bill Tenency agreement let’s hope everything goes ok and I won’t be backing down if I get asked about the fit notes either 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Beccs
      · 1 days ago
      @Linda Its nuts, really! Folk in the SG are the least blooming likely to have a passport or driving licence! I haven't been abroad since 2009 and I barely cope in hospitals in the UK in a medical crisis as it is. Two separate brain injuries 19 years apart one thanks to NHS negligence left me with cerebral palsy - the DVLA are about as likely to send me to Mars as give me a driving licence! 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jane
      · 1 days ago
      @Linda They will phone or arrange for a couple of people to come out and see him to verify his ID
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Linda
      · 1 days ago
      @Ash What if you haven't got a passport or driving licence, no photo ID? My son has neither and can't leave home to go to a job centre either
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James h
      · 2 days ago
      @Ash @Ash I can’t believe it’s finally time I been able to avoid universal credit for years nearly had to go on it back in 2016 but it wasnt fully out in my area then 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ash
      · 2 days ago
      @James h As part of ID you need for UC online claim I used driving licence with photo and council letter uploaded it on my memory stick. Having a go on Monday using my local library hopefully it will go ok. Don't know how long it will take. I've written everything down what info I will need. Just take a deep breath before starting it 

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