Migration to UC

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Dee71

Hi I've just received my letter from UC to say I need to migrate over from ESA, I'm really apprehensive, worried and upset even though I knew it was coming, can anyone tell me how they found the whole process and is it as horrendous as I'm anticipating. Many thanks xx

Vulcress

My Brother just finished the migration they have not given out the breakdown yet.

I have not heard myself yet, but the 1st thing work out when to apply suits you.

because there's around 5 weeks in limbo, you will get some of the ESA money,

what I can tell you the CAB Helpline they are very nice and there to help you

we have a very complex setup and even they had no idea how it would unfold

so when the answers came back they were not happy with they got an extension until

the higher managers had checked.

Be honest about everything, also its easy to forget think back about any forgotten bank accounts or premium bonds, My sister stays over around 3 nights a week when things are really bad, under the old HB/ESA the local office were fine about it but the UC people keep wanting to know more. She has her own house etc,

What my brother has found very upsetting is the wording they use, He was on ESA/with disability premium and in support group. They reply "You may get the same about as before". Nothing has changed, also they never give a notification of an update in the journal so he logs in and there's some very important stuff. So as this process starts keep an eye on that, We all know the horror of waiting for the post its something only disabled people truly understand.

What I can tell you so far he's found the process better than he thought but the help from the CAB helpline I think is the reason for that, The UC team some are good while others have been quite frankly a waste of time, the CAB helpline will actually be in on the call and that person actually ended one call because the person on the other end was talking utter rubbish that's when they asked for an extension to the claim.

It was this CAB caseworker the phone number should be on page 2 of the letter

we found out the LHA payment has been around 75 pounds a month short for the last 7 years. They urged him to raise it but he's so scared he just wants to get this migration over.

He finds out next week exactly what the breakdown and payments are going to be.

I know people tend to post when things go wrong. Sorry to keep going on about the CAB person but just to give you some idea. The answers we needed had to go to the higher dept and the current return time is 10- 15 days. She said they are utterly swamped

so if you have a query do not be scared its better to get it all out from the start.

I read some posts in another place people applied the day they got the letter

I would strongly suggest against doing anything until you work out when payments are due, when outgoings are going to happen. In my brothers case he waited for his ESA payment then started the process 48 hrs later.

Part of me wants to hear myself the other part like you is terrified but like the DLA/PIP its something that's going to happen. I just hope anything written here helps just a bit.

But honestly I was very dubious about the helpline but they really got answers needed

Take care