ESA to UC help

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

TK1

I have to move from IR ESA to UC & would appreciate help with questions below:

1. Can I ask for rent to be paid direct to my housing association on the online form? Or, will I have to wait for first UC payment to request this?
2. Can I verify ID online? I don't have a passport, only provisional licence.
   
3. Can I start completing online UC form today & submit it before deadline next week?
4. Should I write that I've received a Migrstion letter and under reg 19 I should therefore be placed in LCWRA group and get transitional protection (I get SDP with ESA)

Kimi87

1. You have to wait until you've submitted your application. Once you've done that you have access to your online UC account (known as the Journal). You can request this by writing on your Journal. If living in Scotland this can only be done after your first payment. If not Scotland it can be requested at any time.
2. ID can be verified in a variety of ways

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-verify-your-identity-for-universal-credit

3.Yes, once you start the form at various points you can save progress and go back to continue. You have 28 days to submit the form after starting.

4. Can't hurt to add that information. ESA status is usually confirmed by the time of first statement, Transitional Protection isn't always done by that point. If anything is missing or incorrect with first statement, you can alert them via Journal note and once it's been looked at any underpayment will be sent promptly (you will not have to wait another month).