ESA to Universal Credit Migration
Hi, I just received my notice to migrate to Universal Credit with a deadline of February 20th, and I have a few questions.
I want to be as prepared as possible when the time comes, and the thing I'm most concerned about is the identity verification. I don't have an up to date passport, the one I have is long since expired. I only really have my bank card and my mum can probably find my birth certificate. I suspect this won't be enough, so what else could I use?
I will be migrating from the ESA Support Group, and I understand that you're supposed to be automatically awarded LCWRA on UC and not required to provide fit notes, but I've read that people are still being asked for fit notes and agree to work commitments.
I've read that you should put a note stating that you were in support group and you're not required to provide fit notes or agree to work search commitments, but when exactly do you do this? Do you do this when you first submit your claim or after?
Also, if you are asked for fit notes even after stating you're not required to do so, do you just refuse to give them? Won't that get you in trouble?
My social anxiety makes it extremely difficult for me to go out in public, and I'm not good at planning journeys, particularly those I have to go to by myself, so can I ask for reasonable adjustments?
As I've said, my deadline is on February 20th, but I don't want to submit my claim over Christmas because I don't really want the hassle, and I also want to save some money for just in case (again I like to be prepared for every eventuality) there are complications of some kind.
Is there a 'best' time to submit your claim? I don't want to leave it too long obviously, but like I said I would like to set some money aside for just in case.
I hope I've made sense and am not rambling. This has put me in a high state of anxiety and I tend to ramble when I'm like that.
Comments
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1/ I wouldn't worry about ID because they can do a biographical appointment, which means they will ask you questions only you will know the answer to, such as date of birth, who you bank with etc etc.
2/ Yes, you'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.
3/ Yes, you should put a message onto your journal once you have access to it to tell them you're in the Support Group.
4/ No, you do not need to provide any fit notes. If they ask you (very likely) then tell them no, it's not needed. No, you will not be in any trouble.
5/ You can ask for a reasonable adjustment for a telephone appointment and hopefully they will agree to that. Once ESA send your details across your claim will be updated to reflect the support group award.
6/ When is the best time to claim? That will depend on what's included with your ESA. If the SDP is included you should wait until as late as possible to claim. If it's not included then the LCWRA element pays more than ESA Support Group so I see no reason to wait any longer than you need to.
Hope this helps. Please remember that the majority of people claim it without any issues. The fear of the unknown is always the worst.
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Thank you that's very helpful. Hopefully it will be a smooth transition.
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You're doing the smartest thing by gathering knowledge and preparing yourself for it 🙂 I think Poppy has already answered your direct questions. We have noticed that UC seems to be told about Support Group status later than it takes them to make a work coach appointment, which has obviously caused people quite a bit of stress!
Remember you can always ask any other questions you have, and I'll just link our migration guide as well: Moving to Universal Credit and transitional protection | Disability charity Scope UK
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Just submitted my claim (surprisingly easy as I expected something like the Spanish Inquisition), and there was actually an option to tell them you're in the ESA SG, as well as a message saying you don't need sick notes. But I might put a message on the journal as well just to be on the safe side as I like to be prepared for any eventuality.
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Where was the option to tell them you were in the support group ?
I didn't see this when filling mine out.
At least you can take a breath now its done!
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I was just wondered if you get the SDP on ESA how much worse off are you on UC, as i think that UC doesn't pay SDP ?
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UC doesn't pay SDP, but if your UC entitlement is lower than on legacy benefits, Transitional Protection will be added to your payment to ensure you aren't worse off at the time of transfer.
TP does erode over time as other elements go up, new elements are added, or you have a big change of circumstances such as swapping around between a single claim and couples claim.
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Ahhh so eventually it will end up being lower or inline with current rates.
Would that be advisable to delay making my claim for UC or just get it done and move on been sat on my mind daily ?
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I thought you had already started your form a little while ago?
You have 28 days to submit once you start. After that, you'd have to begin again from scratch.
Have you had a migration letter with a deadline?
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I started it on the 15th and done a bit here and there and will be done tomorrow, thankfull ready to submit.
I did have a migration notice for early March
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I can't remember exactly which part of the application it was now (my memory is terrible), but I think it was the part where it asks if you are on benefits (where you fill in information about your income), there was definitely an option to say you are in the ESA SG, and after that a message came up saying I didn't need to prove fit notes (wish I'd taken a screenshot now). Sorry I can't be very specific. I have a lot of difficulty concentrating and remembering things, tend to forget things easily.
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I got an appointment to attend a JobCentre for my ID check, but I've messaged them asking for a telephone one instead. if they ask for evidence, do I just repeat that I'm migrating from esa sg and sick note isn't needed?
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You won't be asked to provide evidence. You can ask for a reasonable adjustment for a telephone appointment if you can't attend in person. You should not be asked to provide a fit note.
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Thank you also, I want to put a message on my journal saying I'm migrating from ESA, which option is it better to send to, Payment or Work Coach?
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at Grissom123
opps I did not remember seeing that at all through the application.
odd! Possible I missed it.Unfortunately it doesn’t let you got back to see the to dos you’ve done.
Racking my brain just can’t remember it being asked. There were a lot of questions though :)
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To your work coach.
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It might have only been added recently. Because there was a reported problem with people being wrongly asked for sick notes. And they did say they have fixed it.
Although I'm still seeing comments elsewhere that people are still being asked for them probably because the dwp don't know their **** from their elbow.
I've seen comments from people who applied and also saw this question and that message saying they don't need sick notes, I think it was on Benefits and Work forum
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From the people I've advised this system is still very patchy. I continue to advise people to add a Journal note and allow several weeks for the ESA status to be confirmed. I am wholly unconvinced it is currently working consistently and as intended.
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Hi I recived my migration letter today and have an appointment for next Thursday to get help sorting forms ect,but is it best to migrate straight away or wait till nearer the dead line?deadline is 25th April,thanks
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