Have to migrate to Universal Credit - no idea about best time to apply - has any one been though this??

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

Don't know if this is the right board for this topic.

Finally received the letter telling me I have to apply for Universal Credit. I have to claim by 22nd July.

I've seen information on other posts/forums on working out the best time to apply, based on the timing of current ESA payments. I'm totally lost with all this, can't think clearly at the best of times.

Has anyone been through this and does anyone have any useful advice??

I'll be contacting the CAB next week but thought it wouldn't hurt to see if people on here could offer any insight!

I did, I had to do it because I was mortgaging and needed to get my budget clear.

It wasn't too bad at all (and I and neurodivergent and get very overwhelmed very easily). I had to go to the job centre with ID etc which I found quite stressful, but other than that, it's ok. I like the account on the website, it's easier to track and you can send messages in it, which is much easier than email/calling. I was the same as you in terms of making sure it happened smoothly, so I didn't have to pay stuff back, or be waiting ages for a payment, and it all happened automatically, no issues.

I'm worse off by a few hundred a month, and lost other benefits linked to my WFTC, despite being told I wouldn't, so have just been hit with a fine for falsely claiming free dental care. But, the process of switching was ok.

Have just done this for my autistic son.it went relatively smoothly and he is slightly better off

@BacktoB - thank you for that, it's good to know the process of switching is fairly straightforward. Really sorry to hear that you lost money though - and several hundred a month is a fair whack!

@Boredmum24 - that's good to hear. Have heard about the transitional protection, but it seems some people get it automatically and others have to push for it. I'm hoping I'm one of the former - can't face a fight!

My switch went smoothly so I am hoping yours will be too. You get the two week run on of ESA and housing benefit payments. Also you can apply for an advance to keep you going until your first payment (you can pay it back over many months, I opted for 12 months). I had to take an advance as have no savings.

I was able to confirm my identity online using my passport and credit references so didn't need to go to the job centre in person, which was a relief as I would have needed my Sister to come with me (she works full time so would have been difficult).

In the months before applying I bought some extra things to see me through just in case of any delays (toilets rolls, toiletries and food tins and packets for the cupboard).

I get the same amount of money as before and transitional protection was there automatically. You can leave messages on your journal under payments if there is anything missing. It was stressful (any change always is for anybody!) but worked out ok in the end.

If you have earnings from work or pension paid monthly it's best to avoid a situation where you can get two payments in one UC Assessment Period as, particularly with earnings from work, you can lose out on Work Allowance.

As to ESA is your award wholly Income Related or is part of it Contribution Based? If the latter than it's only the Income Related Element that's replaced by UC. CB continues to be paid fortnightly.

If you wait for a credit of ESA to be paid and then submit the UC claim the following day you'll get the run on payment a fortnight later which keeps the sequencing as easy as it can be.

@Vates - thank you for that, it's good to hear that some people's changeover goes relatively smoothly. I'm worried about proving my identity as I don't have a passport or driving licence. Am worried about all of it, actually. Am starting to save a bit more where possible now, as I'd prefer not to have an advance.

@Bromptotoo - no earnings at all, so that's something that won't affect me. It's entirely income related ESA. Thank you for the info re timing the UC claim submission - this is what I was hoping for!

Phone the CA Help to Claim number on your letter - they will advise on how much you can expect and re timing issues. You don’t need to go into your local CA office for this

Indeed you'd be better off speaking to Help to Claim who will talk you through the process and whether you might get a Transitional Element - most likely if your current ESA award includes the Severe Disability Premium.

I migrated from tax credits recently, and it wasn't as bad as I had feared. The website and online journal work quite well- definitely better than trying to get hold of the job centre or HMRC on the phone back in the day!

There was an issue with the minimum income floor being applied (I'm s/e)- I should be covered by transitional protection for a year, but I left a message in my journal and it got sorted quite quickly.

@crackofdoom - does the transitional protection only apply for a year, or is that just in your case? I should be entitled to this protection but really unclear on how long it lasts.

@Bromptotoo - yes, I receive the SDP with my ESA, currently.

As far as I know it's only a year for everyone, but I'm not sure, it's hella complicated. When you do migrate and get an account though, you can find a breakdown somewhere. Possibly. Not that I have 😬 . Your work coach might know, or they might get that 1000 yard stare when you ask them. The truth is out there.....somewhere 😆

Transitional protection is permanent for someone who transfers from ESA with SDP. The one-year rule applies to tax credits, where people with savings over £16K or second homes were disregarded for a year.

@Gingerkittykat has it re the Transitional Element in that it doesn't disappear after a year.

However it does erode. When the rates increase next April you won't see that. If your current UC, inc TE, is £1060.15 and the net increase for 2026/7 is £10/month your TE will reduce by £10 and you'll still get £1060.15.

I think I'm right in saying that you DO see the increase in the Housing Costs Element but I may be wrong there. And, if you rent privately and LHA is frozen again that'll be moot.

@Gingerkittykat - thank you. Am grateful for all information right now. Am also confused about the 'health element' of universal credit. Presumably I won't get this as I will have the transitional protection. I was awarded PIP too, which, from what I've read, is the passport to the health element. Not even sure about that now!

What group are you on in ESA? If you are in the support group you will automatically get the disability element of UC (called LCWRA). It will be included in the amount you get transitional protection for.

@Gingerkittykat - i'm in the support group. I can't see that I'd get the disability element AND transitional protection 😊? I thought TP would just ensure that I didn't lose out, and my income wouldn't drop? If they add on the health element, that means I'll have more income, which I'm pretty sure won't be allowed.

Also dreading the council tax issues - it seems you are charged much more council tax as the transitional protection is not seen as part of your benefits so that affects the support you get from the council. It's an absolute nightmare.

The health element is included in your transitional protection.

I have no idea how council tax works with TP, I think it varies between councils.

I still get same amount of council tax paid has I did before my uc switch.
I just had to let them know I switched to uc.
Not sure if transitional protection only lasts 12 month or not but I've shared a picture of what it says on my statement about it.
I switched last year from esa support group and tax credits.

One thing that didn't happen like I was told it would is that my tax credits didn't stop until 3 weeks after I applied for uc

Thanks everyone. Am currently attempting to contact a couple of advice agencies and it's hopeless. Despite having a CAB office local to me, you can't pop in to make an appointment, or even ring them direct. There's a general number and it's impossible to get through. Everything is set up for us to fail!!

Ring the number in your migration letter - you do not have to see anyone face to face to discuss this as stated earlier

@VanCleefArpels - I actually feel that I do need to talk things through, and possibly get assistance with the form, due to my cognitive issues. It's one of the reasons I receive PIP. Have some processing issues and get easily overwhelmed.

I actually managed to get through to CAB this afternoon and it was a relief. He was able to answer my questions and reassure me on a few issues. Told me the best time to apply and I can call back when ready to complete the form online and they will guide me through if needed.

When I had to do the transition I timed it two weeks after my pay day, that way there was no chance an early payment of wages would affect the UC claim. I also timed it to arrive just before when my rent comes out so I knew I’d always have enough for rent even if unexpected bills cropped up earlier in the month. I got the transitional protection automatically.

I get paid on the 3rd last working day of the month from my job so I applied around the 5th and my UC payment and job payment are around 2 weeks apart which is ideal. I was getting tax credits weekly before so I do miss having money so regularly as my budgeting was set up for that. Due to the change happening right before April I couldn’t honestly tell you if I’m better off or not. They make it suitably complicated that I can’t really work it out although they did automatically apply for council tax benefit for me which I now get a small amount of and didn’t before. The application and change was more straightforward than i expected. I didn’t get my rent element right away as they didn’t bother to read my notes or the contract I gave them but it was easily resolved via my journal and one phone call. All in all not the horror stories that you hear

Another thing I'm concerned about with Universal Credit is whether I'll still qualify for free prescriptions. Currently, with being on ESA, I do.

@liveforsummer - sounds like you had a reasonable experience with changing, which is heartening to hear!