Universal Credit Migration from ESA

TheRedDwarf

Hi, Newbie here.

Really sorry if there's been posts on this topic already but I'm currently in a flap and can't think straight.

I suffer with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Social Phobia and bouts of Depression.  I am currently being assessed for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and also Autism.  I may also have Fibromyalgia but have hit a dead end on that at the moment.

Anyway, I have been on Income Related ESA in the Support Group for many years, apart from a few months when my savings went over the limit when my Mother passed away and was on the Contribution based ESA.  Just before Xmas 2024, I got a Migration Letter.  Immediately I went into a panic as I has an absolute nightmare when changing from Incapacity Benefit to ESA many years ago.  I waited until January to apply to UC online and mentioned I was migrating from ESA SG.  All went quite smoothly but had to go to the job centre for a identity check, my Sister went with me otherwise I just couldn't have done.  The appointment also went smoothly and it the migration was noted and I was told I wouldn't have any claimant commitments and would be placed in the LCWRA of UC.  All good.  I would get one more ESA payment and then no money for three weeks until the 19th February.

Today, I received another letter which again has sent me into a worrying spiral.  This one states that my Contribution based ESA will change to New Style ESA from the 27th January and that I will receive an appointment at the Job Centre to explain how my illness affects me and provide medical evidence.

So my confusion is I thought my ESA was stopping.  I thought I wouldn't have to have another medical.  There was no mention of migrating onto New Style ESA.  Has there been some crossover mix up.  I just can't bare the thought of having to prove my illness, not after last time.  I will be contacting my GP next week as I'm already getting suicidal thoughts.  I just don't have the energy to fight this again.

Please help.  Thank you.

poppy12345

Your ESA was made up of contributions based and Income Related. It's the Income Related that's stopping and being replaced with UC. 

CB ESA isn't part of UC but this will revert automatically to New Style ESA. You will not need another assessment and no fit notes are needed so if the letter mentions any of those you can ignore it. The letter is really aimed at those that are claiming ESA for the first time but you're already in the Support Group. 

Your ESA will continue to be paid but at a lower amount of £276.40/fortnight. This will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement and the deduction will be £598,86/month. The reason it looks more than you receive is because ESA is a weekly benefit and UC is monthly and there's 4.3 weeks in a month, not 4 weeks. 

You shouldn't need to attend another appointment at your local job centre because this can be done vis a telephone call, where you will need to agree to your claimant commitments. 

TheRedDwarf

Thanks for your reply Poppy12345.  I absolutely hate change, I get so stressed.  So, will I get the LCWRA part of UC if I get the SG part of ESA?  The lady at the job centre mentioned LCWRA and also mentioned I wouldn't have any claimant commitments.  I suppose, like you said, the ESA SG component will be deducted from the UC.  I think the rent part, which I never mentioned in the OP, is sorted, I know how much I'm getting there and how much I need to pay towards the rent.  It's all so complicated to me, especially when it was running like clockwork before.  I won't know until the 15th February how much I'm getting for the rest of it.  From what I understood on the Gov website and benefit calculators, I will be getting a bit more than I did on ESA SG, I may have misunderstood though.  Roll on the 15th.

Spoonie_Turtle

TheRedDwarf said:

Thanks for your reply Poppy12345.  I absolutely hate change, I get so stressed.  So, will I get the LCWRA part of UC if I get the SG part of ESA?  The lady at the job centre mentioned LCWRA and also mentioned I wouldn't have any claimant commitments.  I suppose, like you said, the ESA SG component will be deducted from the UC.  I think the rent part, which I never mentioned in the OP, is sorted, I know how much I'm getting there and how much I need to pay towards the rent.  It's all so complicated to me, especially when it was running like clockwork before.  I won't know until the 15th February how much I'm getting for the rest of it.  From what I understood on the Gov website and benefit calculators, I will be getting a bit more than I did on ESA SG, I may have misunderstood though.  Roll on the 15th.

Yes.

Hopefully once everything's set up and verified from the migration it'll be back to running like clockwork again   
[I didn't migrate, claimed UC fresh and then later claimed ESA as well and once everything was set up and both departments had the correct info, everything has since run like clockwork for me.]

(Also, *Rimmer salute* )

TimeLord1

Put in your journal you are migrating from ESA support group to Universal credit and have a LCWRA entitlement that's all you need to do. Ignore anything asking for sick notes. ESA takes a while to confirm Support Group entitlement/ LCWRA with Universal credit. Your ESA letters are also an old template used for new claimants that's just lazy on their part.

Your rent can be and probably will be paid directly to your landlord or Housing association.

TheRedDwarf

Hi Timelord1, Thanks for your reply.  I did put in my journal from the start about migrating from ESA SG, actually did it twice as this journal stuff is new to me.  Does New Style ESA access the journal too so should I do it again?  Yes I'm getting the rent paid directly to the council, just have to pay for the extra bedroom, and the 53rd week of this year, which was annoying.  Plus now I'm moving to UC the council like to be paid in advance so I'm having to pay more this year to do so.

TimeLord1

No ESA is a separate department that will eventually pass your information to Universal Credit that you have a LCWRA entitlement and that will be added to your claim.  You can get an advance from UC to put towards the rent but that has to be paid back gradually overtime so UC payment would see a slight reduction until the loan is repaid. Or if you can go into credit then they'll have enough but sometimes return unused overpaid balances you make depending if you tell them why 

TimeLord1

I think your be fine I can't see you hearing from them really apart from payment information just check the journal once a week until it settles down. The letters they send and information is badly administered and confusing to most so you're not alone. 

TheRedDwarf

Thanks to you both. I'm feeling much better now and reassured.  Can't thank you enough.  Cheers

poppy12345

Once ESA and UC are up and running you should be pretty much left alone. 

KxMx

Echoing the advice of others. 
New claims can be busy at the beginning but they soon settle down and basically run themselves.