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Universal Credit transition from ESA – lack of support and distress caused

JustJem

Hi,

I’ve recently moved from income-related ESA to Universal Credit and I’m really struggling with how I’ve been treated during the transition. I also claim the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) and receive enhanced rates for both daily living and mobility components of PIP.

My last ESA payment was in late June, followed by a two-week run-on payment that was due on 7th July — but that payment didn’t go into my bank account at first, so I had to chase it myself, which caused even more anxiety. I later received a small final ESA payment on 11th July. After visiting the Job Centre and contacting ESA directly, I was told my ESA claim officially ended on 8th July.

The issue is that my Universal Credit case manager refused to confirm any of this and just told me to “contact ESA,” despite me being clear that I needed reassurance. I have autism and PTSD, and being passed around between departments has caused a huge amount of distress.

To be honest, I’m really struggling at the moment. I lost my mum a year and a half ago, and ever since then I’ve been trying to keep myself together. It’s just been one thing after another, and this experience has left me feeling exhausted and unsupported.

I’ve sent a message explaining the situation and included the relevant legislation (Regulation 19 of the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014), which confirms the ESA run-on is non-recoverable and not an overpayment. But I’m now considering making a formal complaint due to how upsetting and damaging this whole process has been.

I just don’t want to feel so alone in this. Has anyone else been through similar? Or can someone just offer some reassurance, please?

Thank you.

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Comments

Kimi87

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling, but don't see what grounds you have for a complaint.

Your UC case managers job is to administrate your UC award.

ESA is a separate benefit with different staff, and that run on payment doesn't have any impact on your UC award, so nothing relevant for your UC case manager to handle.

Citizens Advice have a Help to Claim service, they can support you before, during and after your claim through to making sure your first payment is correct.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

Have you been in touch with your GP, or let anyone close to you know that you are struggling?

JustJem

Thank you for your reply. I'm autistic, have PTSD, and recently went through a cancer scare. My mum — who used to be my appointee — passed away a year and a half ago, and I’ve had to manage this transition on my own. I know ESA and UC are separate, but I’m trying to make sense of overlapping payments and delays. I received my normal ESA payment on 23rd June, then a delayed run-on of £489.30 on 7th July after I chased it, and £34 on 11th July. I just want reassurance that this is my two-week ESA run-on and that it won’t be treated as an overpayment. It’s been a really overwhelming time, and I was just looking for some kindness and clarity.

Community_Scope

Hi @JustJem

I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. It sounds incredibly overwhelming, especially with everything else you’ve been coping with. We're going to send you an email shortly, please look out for it

JustJem

Hi.... I'm on hold to ESA, can somebody please reassure me that I received the right two week roll on? And that I won't be in any trouble?

JustJem

Hello? Anyone?

Kimi87

You won't be in any trouble if you've been overpaid IR ESA. It'll be deducted from your UC award if that has happened. You won't be any worse off financially.

JustJem

Hi Kimi,

Just a quick question — when ESA pays the 2-week run-on after switching to Universal Credit, is that usually the full award someone would normally get for two weeks?

I’ve had a couple of payments that total what I’d usually receive in a fortnight, but I’m worried in case that ends up being classed as an overpayment and a large chunk gets taken off my UC. I was told by ESA that it was the 2-week run-on, but I just wanted to check how it normally works.

Thanks again for all your help — I really appreciate it.

JustJem

Sorry... due to my autism all of this is confusing.

Kay67

Hi just same here Ive not a clue what's going on iafter passing from esa support to uc , Ive requested a home visit as I dont go out alone, dont travel on public transport, have limited mobility & cocormidities but am just told they haven't set up my uc claim yet as they need to see my ID and it shouldn't be too long for a visit , but am worried there will be nothing to pay the bills with or buy food & end up in debt, Am fed up with this whole new hell of a system that's been created by the dwp & government, they say they are making it a fairer system! Can't see how, I hope for us all the universal credit becomes easier to make sense off!

I hope you get your issue sorted

JustJem

Sorry to be a pain, but can any someone please explain further? This is really confusing.

Kimi87

The amount of IR ESA due for the run on payment varies from person to person, as it depends on where you are in your normal ESA payment cycle when you apply for UC.

If there is an overpayment it will be deducted, you won't be any worse off financially if that happens because you've had the ESA money.

JustJem

Hey Kimi,

Just wanted to explain a bit more about my situation and ask how overpayments and deductions actually work, because I’ve been stressing a lot.

I claimed Universal Credit on 25th June, the day after I moved out of my local authority area (I moved on the 24th). I’d already had a managed migration letter, so I knew I had to switch over.

My last regular ESA payment was on 23rd June. ESA told me my claim officially closed on the 8th or 9th July, and that the following payments were my 2-week run-on:

7th July – £489.30

11th July – £35.00

My usual ESA payment was £489.30, so that part makes sense — but the extra £35 has made me panic a bit. I’m scared UC might treat it as an overpayment and take a big chunk off me.

But ESA have told me clearly that I’ve not been overpaid, which helped — I’m just still really anxious in case UC sees it differently.

CAB also told me that if there ever was an overpayment, it would just come off UC gradually and I wouldn’t be left short. And I know you mentioned I wouldn’t be worse off because it’s money I’ve already had — but could you explain how the deductions actually work? Like is there a limit to how much they can take each month?

Thanks so much again — you’ve explained things better than anyone else so far. I just want to feel a bit more reassured that I’m not going to suddenly lose loads from my UC over this.

Kimi87

UC overpayment recovery levels are capped at 15% of the standard allowance.

So depending on your age that would be £316.98 or £400.14.

Maximum deduction £47.55 /£60.02.

JustJem

Thank you Kimi, you have no idea how much you have eased my anxiety. I've been sat here in tears, wishing my Mum was here alongside a cancer scare at the moment.

Thank you to everyone here for helping me in the past, especially you and Poppy. 💘

JustJem

Hi, I've made a new post on here if someone can help me that will be greatly appreciated.