It’s great that you’re making sure you’re prepared for the move to Universal Credit (UC). A change in your benefits can be really worrying, but we’re here to help you with the switch. We’ll take you through what you need to know about the move to UC (sometimes called ‘managed migration’), and what support is available along the way. If you need help to apply, our Help to Claim team provide free, confidential support with making your new UC claim right up until you get your first correct payment. Not heard about the move to UC process? You can find out more here.
The first thing to be aware of is you won’t be moved to UC automatically. The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter called a migration notice, telling you that it’s time for you to move to UC and giving you a date that you need to apply by. You’ll need to complete an application for UC before this deadline, or your old benefits will stop. Applying before the deadline also means that you may be entitled to ‘transitional protection’. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for this support to make sure you aren’t worse off when you are paid from UC.
When you move from income-related ESA before your migration deadline, all information about your health should carry across to UC. This means you should automatically be entitled to the health element of UC, called Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). You shouldn’t need to provide any fit notes or do another Work Capability Assessment (WCA). If you are asked to complete another assessment, or there is money missing from your UC, make sure to get advice from Help to Claim.
Help to Claim can advise you on the best time to apply, what steps to take, what documents you’ll need and answer any other questions you have about the process. This includes things like carrying over bedroom tax exemptions and Council Tax support if you currently get these.
After completing the application, you’ll need to complete at least one initial appointment with a Work Coach, where they will verify your identity and confirm next steps. Let the DWP know if you’ll need a telephone appointment, for example if you can’t leave your home.
Unlike ESA, UC is normally paid in one single monthly payment. This payment will include any help you’re entitled to for housing costs (the ‘housing element’). If you’re concerned about managing a monthly budget, you can ask for something called an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA). You can request an APA so your housing element goes straight to your landlord, or so you are paid every two weeks to help with budgeting. You can ask for these or other potential adjustments in your first meeting with your Work Coach.
Finally, remember that it normally takes at least five weeks to receive your first UC payment. Your ESA payments will continue – or ‘run on’ – for two weeks after you apply for UC, so it’s a good idea to get advice about the best time to apply to maximise your income in these 5 weeks. If you don’t think you will be able to manage during the wait, you can ask for a loan from the DWP called an ‘advance payment’ to help. Because the advance payment is a loan, you will have to repay it through deductions from your future UC payments. You can also call our adviceline on 0808 278 7910 to explore alternative options to the advance payment, like local grants.