ESA to UC Managed Migration Deadline Date Query

SwimFish1

Like many who are on the ESA benefit, I’ve had the obligatory ESA to UC Managed Migration letter that is asking me to apply for UC by a certain deadline date.

Naturally, I’m feeling apprehensive about, what is to me, an anxiety inducing situation, and ideally I’m looking to wait until I feel more able enough to tackle it.

My question to the forum is, has anyone left it till the last month, the final week or even the last couple of days until they had completed and sent their application in?

With that in mind, I’d also like to know how long it took for others to complete the online part of the application, so that I am able to gauge how much time that I need to give myself by the time I’ve entered the third month of the grace period?

Also, I’m aware of what is known as a last resort option, which allows you to request an extension to the allocated deadline date contained within the letter.

What I’d like to know is, how common is it for the DWP to refuse this request when requested, as this may well prove to be a valuable lifeline should the need arise when eventually applying for UC?

TIA

KxMx

Once you start the form, you have 28 days to submit.

At various stages you will be able to save your progress, then it's safe to leave the form and return later. 

You can view a dummy version of the form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0zGOzoOkpR3i_64IvjFOvZBOeeORdpf_iF32h2l1B-hXXOQ/viewform

Citizens Advice have a Help to Claim service, they can support you before during and after your claim. 

This is a national service run by phone and webchat, not linked to your local branch. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/ 

ChrisJJ

The form itself is pretty straightforward. As the previous poster said, once you register, you have 28 days to complete it. I filled it in in stages. Much of it is very basic questions. In theory, it could have been completed in one sitting, if I'd had all the required information to hand (rent amount, amount in bank accounts, bank account details, national insurance number).

I can highly recommend the CAB help to claim service, they were very helpful to me.

It is, as you say, very anxiety inducing. I was in quite a state from even before I received the letter! However, thankfully, it was all fairly straightforward and they managed to get my first payment correct. 

The CAB can also help you on the best time to claim. I believe it is the day after your last ESA payment before the deadline, but don't take my word on that.

nannytone_2

I was due to migrate by 21st May and was leaving it until the week before, so I could get my daughter too do it dor me, as I am blind and hate my speaking software.
On the 13th May, my dad who lived with me, passed away suddenly in his sleep.

2 days later the DWP phoned to do the claim over the phone.  Clearly, I wasn't really up to doing it at that moment.
They were very good and said due to the circumstances they were giving me a 4 week extension.  We got it in on 25th may

Robbie64

I left it until the last week before filling the online form. I had until 28 May 2025 to complete the migration and decided to complete the form on 21 May 2025. I did the claim in one go and also took a screenshot of every page that I completed - 177 pages in all! It was largely trouble free. The only part I struggled with was one of the questions I was asked about proving my identity. The question was "when did you last take out a mobile phone contract" with the option of in the last couple of years, 2-5 years ago or over 5 years ago. I had to guess at the answer as it was likely the ID check (from my credit file) was possibly referring to when I changed from Talk Talk to BT for my house phone and broadband back in March 2019. My mobile phone is simply a SIM only package where I pay monthly for data and calls and that was first set up just 4 years previously. I made the correct call as I passed the ID check.

I have to admit to being a bit nervous when making the claim as I was worried about making an error but it was largely trouble free. Thankfully the migration itself has also largely gone smoothly with the LCWRA and Transitional Elements being added on time and paid at the end of the first month. The only thing I've got as a concern is that I still haven't been contacted by ESA about switching from conts based ESA to the New Style equivalent. Most people seem to get contacted about this during the first month but I've now beeen on UC for 3 months and still have heard nothing from ESA, although I still get ESA at £281.10 every fortnight.