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UC Forced Migration

Lentilsandveggies

Hi,is it true that the forced migration from legacy benefits to UC,has been brought forward from 2028,to autumn 2024?Is this 100% confirmed now,or just speculation?

When you make the transition,how long does it take for the new payments to begin?

Are the payments backdated?I have heard that some going from WTC to UC are not getting payments backdated.

If your going from IB SG ESA to UC LCWRA,do you have to provide medical evidence,ie sick notes?Or just fill the forms in and send them off?

I heard that in some circumstances,you can request payments to be made fortnightly,rather than monthly,how hard is it to do this in reality?

Would there be any advantages/disadvantages in making the migration voluntarily now,rather than waiting until you are forced to migrate?

Thanks.

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Comments

poppy123456

The Tories announced some weeks ago that migration for those claiming Income Related ESA has been moved to between Sept 2024 and Dec 2025. Whether that changes with a possible new Government I have no idea.

When you submit your claim for UC your Income Related ESA will continue for 2 weeks and then stop. Same applies to housing benefit if you claim this.

Your first UC payment will be 1 month and 6 days after you submit your claim. UC is paid monthly in arrears so your first payment will be for 1 month, same as all other payments.

For example, if you claimed today then your assessment periods will be 19th to 18th of every month. Your payment date will be 25th of every month, unless that falls on a weekend or bank holiday and then you will receive payment on the last working day.

If in the Support Group you’ll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. You will not need another assessment.

Yes you can ask for an Alternative Payment Arrangement in some circumstances. See link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements/alternative-payment-arrangements

When you would be better off claiming UC now will depend on circumstances and what’s included with your ESA. If it includes the Severe Disability Premium then you would be worse off if you naturally migrated across.

[Deleted User]

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poppy123456

@Remina Income Related ESA/JSA, Income Support and Housing benefit continue for 2 weeks and then stop.

Yes, it means you will be waiting a few weeks for your UC payment. You can ask for an advance payment of UC but this needs to be repaid back and your future UC payments will be reduced.

If any part of your ESA is contributions based that will continue as normal but be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

[Deleted User]

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poppy123456

You’re welcome.

Lentilsandveggies

Ok thanks Poppy.So the migration does not trigger a WCA,but do you have to provide medical evidence,like a doctors note as part of that change over from ESA to LCWRA UC? Or are the "fit notes" you hear about,only for people who are claiming LCWRA UC for the first time,rather than migrating from legacy benefits?

poppy123456

As I advised you will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. This means you won’t need fit notes or medical evidence.

Lentilsandveggies

Ok,thanks for the clarification

Phil76

Hello Everyone

I recently received the migration letter for my ESA to UC.I am currently on ESA support group.I’ve made a claim for UC and they are asking for fit notes,I have had a fit note for a long time because I’m in Support group.They are still asking for fit note,Shouldn’t they just migrate my ESA over?How long should it take for my claim to go back to normal like when I didn’t have to hand in fit notes?They are still asking what work I can do etc but I’m on ESA for mental health so can’t work. Hope you understand and thank you for any help.

Phil76

haven’t had a fit note for ages that’s meant to say

poppy123456

@Phil76 you don’t need a fit note because you will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

Phil76

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878553#Comment_878553

Hi Poppy,The person I’m seeing at jobcentre says I have to give in a fit note,I’m confused.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878555#Comment_878555

No, you do not need to provide a fit note. Put a message onto your journal and tell them you're in the Support Group for ESA. As you've received your migration letter they should already know you're in the Support Group.

Phil76

ok I will try that Poppy,Thank you for your help

Lentilsandveggies

@Phil76 Do you mind me asking what general area of the country you are? Just trying to work out if they are doing the UCFM rollout by postcode,or some other order.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878593#Comment_878593

I don't know what UCFM is?

For those claiming either Income Related ESA or ESA with housing benefit they are sending out migration notices to 500 people in Wolverhampton and Suffolk as part of a trial process to better understand the needs of some claimants. More information here. https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwp-quietly-starts-early-rollout-of-universal-credit-to-some-esa-claimants-without-telling-mps/

For everyone else, claiming those benefits, who knows what will happen with a new Government just around the corner.

Does your ESA include the Severe disability Premium?

Phil76

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878593#Comment_878593

Wolverhampton,West Midlands

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878615#Comment_878615

Yes, there was another member here a couple of days ago that also received the migration letter for the trial. I must admit they were very quick at sending those out.

Does your ESA include the Severe disability Premium?

Phil76

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/878619#Comment_878619

No I don’t have the severe disability premium.

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