Trigger warning

Hopeless85

I know this will sound very dramatic to alot of people, and I'm sorry to anyone who may find this triggering but....

I received my migration letter 2 weeks ago from hb and esa to uc. Since then I haven't been able to sleep, have eaten very little, spend 24 hours a day in bed and just physically and mentally feel ill and unable to cope. I genuinely feel like this could be the straw that breaks the camels back. I fear that this will end me. When I get my esa/pip form that always makes me incredibly ill, but, there was some hope/familiarity with it. But with this, I feel none. I feel nothing but sickness and dread, and I truly believe, I might not make it thro this. If anyone has any advice or any tales of it going well, I would truly appreciate it.

poppy123456

Many people feel the same way you do because of fear of the unknown because they don't know what to expect.

It's not difficult to claim UC and fill out the form and many people have reported back saying how easy they thought the process was. Citizens Advice have a help to claim phone number so you can contact them and they will be able to help you through the process. Please see link. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

If you claim online you will have access to a journal, on that journal you will be able to report changes, send messages and see your monthly UC statements when they appear. On that statement it will tell you all the elements you're entitled to, including any deductions (if they apply) as well as what will be paid into your bank.

If you prefer you can request your rent to be paid straight to your landlord and you can do that by putting a message onto your journal when you have access to it.

If your UC entitlement is less than your current benefits then your UC will include Transitional Protection. This payment will make sure you're not worse off on the date you claim. It will erode though when other elements increase or you become entitled to other elements. Eventually it will erode completely.

If you prefer not to claim online you can ring the UC helpline and claim by phone. If you do that you will not have access to a journal and you would need to ring them each time you need to do something such as report changes. If they want you for something they will email or text you to ask you to contact them. Access to a journal would be much easier.

Once everything is up and running I wouldn't expect there to be any issues.

Your Income Related ESA and housing benefit will both continue for 2 weeks once you submit a claim for UC.

I hope this helps a little.

Hopeless85

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I do truly appreciate it. I will try to face this. I need to try. Having people like yourself is invaluable to ppl like me. It's people like yourself who put the good back into the world. Thank you.

poppy123456

Aww you're welcome. Happy I could help a little at least. Thank you also for such kind words. When you do claim if you ever need any advice please just ask and someone will be sure to advise you.

Hopeless85

Thank you so much.

NickM

mine went through absolutely no problems at all and actually was all sorted so much more quicker than I expected x

Holly_Scope

Hi @Hopeless85 welcome to the forum. I can see you've received some lovely feedback from the community so I won't add much more. Just wanted to say I hope all goes well, and we're here if you need to talk. If things do become overwhelming emotionally, it might be worth reaching out to your GP for some support.

Best wishes,

Catherine21

Oh im so sorry i think i willbe the same everyday do something little so important to eat you must be worn out even if its sliced cheese bread little bits as i dont want to cook when feel so scared just shut down and going into denial is there anyone on here who done the change could offer support im coming on to say keep your fluids up and eat little often keep your strenght up big hugs

Hopeless85

Thank you all so much for being so kind. I literally have no one in the real world at all, so I have felt so very alone in this, and your encouragement/support really means alot to me. I'm going to try and tackle a few steps in the coming days but the dread and anxiety is on indescribable levels but I'm going to try.

poppy123456

I don't know if this will help but you can start to fill out the form and save it for 28 days and go back to it as and when you can. If you don't submit the form within that time what you've saved up to that time will be lost and you will need to start again.

A claim for UC is not made until you actually "click" submit claim so your current benefits will not be affected unless you do that.