ESA / UC Managed Migration and New-Style ESA

Robbie64

After receiving a migration notice (ESA / HB) I applied for UC on 21 May 2025. My ESA was made up on both income-related and contributory ESA. In addition I also received Housing Benefit.

My migration went through without a problem, and I now get Universal Credit instead of the income-related part of ESA and Housing Benefit. My contributory ESA is deducted from my UC entitlement (at a rate of £609.05 per month). I receive conts based ESA each fortnight (£281.10).

However, so far I have not had a letter to say that my conts based ESA will be changing to new-style ESA despite my claim for UC being made 2 months ago (on 21 May 2025). In most migration cases I have read about, here at MSE and elsewhere, the person migrating to UC who also has conts based ESA in payment has received a letter regarding new-style ESA stating that conts based ESA will change to new-style ESA and that the person will have to accept a claimant committment to receive new-style ESA. This letter seems to arrive around the time that the UC claim was made. My conts based ESA has continued in payment so possibly there is no problem... but I do wonder why I haven't received a letter. Is this something I should be worried about, or something I should be chasing up? Could it simply be down to backlogs in the system due to the increase in the amount of cases being migrated? I worry that a letter could have been sent but it hasn't arrived.

Newcad

As you correctly guess it's because of backlogs.

When they decided that UC could cope with more migration notices and ramped up how many they are sending out nobody though to ask if ESA could also cope with such increased numbers of migrations. (Left hand, Right hand).

So ESA have got into backlogs with confirming LCW/LCWRA status for migrations, and with changing Legacy CB ESA to New style ESA.

The first one affects UC payments, so they are concentrating on reducing that backlog.

The second one is not as urgent because the CB ESA still in payment is the same amount for both Legacy and New Style, it's basicly just a name change and the need to sign a ESA Claimant Commitment so it doesn't really matter if it's delayed a bit longer.

They will get round to you eventually.

Robbie64

Thanks Newcad.

Other than not (so far) receiving a letter about changing to new-style ESA / agreeing a NS-ESA claimant committment, everything else about the migration process went smoothly, including the LCWRA and Transitional Protection amounts being included in the first payment.

I'll just wait for ESA to get in touch with me.

Newcad

The DWP have said that they have now got on top of the LCW/LCWRA verification backlogs for migrations, not sure if that's actually true or just talk.

I guess time will tell.

Starbright2

@Robbie64 I had my letter on the 7th of July, since then I haven't heard anything no phone call, no more letters, nothing on my U/C journal or my to do list. So there also seems a backlog once you get the letter from when you get an appointment. 

tillyboo_2

I went through my ESA to UC in July, which was a nightmare. I had 2 support workers, my MP & eventually a DWP visit. Then when I thought all was done, in July I recieved a letter from New Style ESA to say I would have to attend a work claimmant committment. So then involved my support workers & MP again, to explain I only have home visits due to health & UC & ESA were aware of.this & I was in the support group. 
All that was back in July, since the migration I've recieved £281.10 every 2 wks which is deducted as £609.05 from my Monthly UC. So I thought all was finished, wrong!
Last week out of the blue I had a call from the job centre, saying I needed to make an appointment over  the phone re this clammant commitment & relates to the letter in July, I cant remember yesterday let alone several months ago. 
So this call is taking place over the phone tomoz 28th Oct. My support workers are busy so I'm going to have to face this call alone & dreading in. The lady from job centre said "its nothing to worry about" but I was told that so many times through the migration process, I dont trust them.

So no idea what will happen tomoz on call, lady said she knows I'm in the support group & that I've been recieving payments. I asked what questions would be asked & how long call would take, as I have to have things written down as I cant answer just like that. She said only my NI no DOB nsme & address & call would last 20/30mins. None of that makes sense, as to answer those questions would take no more than 5 or 10 mins max. 
So I'm dreading it......no idea whats going to be asked.

Robbie64

Hi tillyboo. In theory the call could last for 20 minutes, in practice it's most likely to be less (5, maybe 10 minutes at a push). From what I've read, both here at MSE and elsewhere, the Work Coach will basically ask you to confirm who you are (name, DOB, NI number, address) and will then ask for you to agree to a Claimant Committment as a condition for receiving new-style ESA. As you are in the Support Group this will amount to little more than agreeing that you will contact the DWP if any of your circumstances change.

I'm still waiting to be contacted by ESA to agree a CC for new-style ESA, having made a claim for UC back in May (I was previously on conts based ESA and income related ESA) and therefore my conts ESA switching to new-style ESA.

huckster

Yes very basic call. Verify ID questions. And agreeing to report all changes of circumstances that could affect your claim.

If people are struggling with health to the extent they struggle with communications and may not remember to report changes, they may wish to think about having an appointee registered to help with their benefits.