Uc natural migration - 3 months to claim once received invite but when’s best time

apple85

so we know that from feb 2025 the uc invite letters will be ramped up in quantity and the last letters sent in dec 2025 (basically total madness for 11 months as we know the process isn’t fit for purpose)

we also know that you don’t get your first uc payment till 5-6 weeks after triggering your uc migration (where esa stops immediately and housing benefit runs for a fortnight longer I believe)

however what I’m not sure about is when is the best time in the 3 month schedule after receiving the invite is it best to trigger the switch - as early or late as possible or somewhere in the middle

my Gut was to stay on esa as long as possible (as for me esa is more preferable over uc) and make the switch within the last fortnight of that 3 month invite timetable (straight after an esa payment has gone in my bank account so I definitely have money to budget with between that 5-6 weeks with no esa or uc payments.

But I’ve been reading a lot of people saying they are starting their claim 6 weeks before their letter deadline so they don’t lose money

I remember Poppy advising someone a few months back to leave it as late in the day as possible (similar as my gut feeling)

but my worry now is that if you left claiming uc till the last week or even the day before the deadline you obviously have to wait 5-6 weeks to get your first uc payment (is that in arrears or in advance?) but if your esa claim is closed immediately do you get any backpay? (Even if you are paid your first months uc payment in arrears, if you waited 6+ weeks for that first payment and only get paid that one month you’ve not be covered for that additional 10 odd days)

I hope that makes sense and someone that has already gone through managed migration and left it near the end of their given 3 month window has the answer to my questions

thanks all

Kimmy87

As well a HB, you also get a further payment of ESA after claiming UC.

You will get your first UC payment 5 weeks after claiming. UC is paid one month in arrears.

poppy123456

When you receive a letter inviting you to apply it’s called managed migration. Natural migration is when you claim due to a change of circumstances.

I don’t know why some are starting their claim 6 weeks before the deadline, thinking they will lose money. For those claiming housing benefit, income related ESA/JSA and Income Support they all continue for 2 weeks. This money is not deducted from UC so you’re not losing money, you’re gaining it.

UC is paid 1 month in arrears with first payment being just under 5 weeks after you submit your claim. The first day you claim will be the start of your assessment period, which lasts for 1 calendar month. You will then receive payment 7 days later, which will cover you for that one calendar month. You will receive your UC on the same date each month, unless that falls on a weekend or bank holiday and then it will be paid the Friday before.

The right time to claim will depend on each individual circumstances. For myself because my ESA includes the SDP I will not be claiming UC until as late as possible, which will depend on my ESA payment dates at the time.

There will be some who would be better off so they shouldn’t delay their claim. I’ve seen many people post on here that would be better off and didn’t even realise.