Looking for advice on UC migration from ESA with 4 weeks left to claim

Hi David, I decided to phone the migration line as I was unsure about how the relay would work and felt phoning was probably the better option. I wrote out what I wanted to say to avoid getting too flustered. I confirmed my details and that I was looking for an extension due to an eye issue. Before I was able to elaborate further on the issue and the stress connection he told that I was too early to request an extension. He said that the earliest I could call would be 1 week before my claim (the 14th of March). I didn't want to debate this so I thanked him and ended the call but this is definitely not the outcome I was hoping for.

I have received letters from the hospital today confirming my next appointment for deeper examination is on the 26th of March. I was expressly told by the consultant to reduce my stress but I am spending most days very stressed about my UC claim. If I had been granted an extension now I could have put this all to one side for a few weeks just to focus on my eye health. With the uncertainty of a possible extension a week before my deadline (most likely without enough time for them to confirm such an extension in writing) I will need to proceed as if I don't have an extension and hence carry on stressing and worrying every day.

Is there a way in which I can escalate this request in order to try and get an earlier extension?

If I get the extension will they confirm this in writing so that I have security of knowing I definitely have the extension?

If I am not granted an extension but I make my application within a month of the date when the benefits are uprated can I still avoid losing out due to erosion of transitional protection?

Thanks again for all your help.

Hi David, I took your advice and phoned the CAB help to claim number this morning. I spoke to a young man and said I wanted to get some advice on extending my deadline. I explained I had phoned the UC helpline and was told I could only ask for an extension from 1 week before my deadline. I said that I wanted to see if I could escalate this in order to try and get an extension sooner. I explained that I have the letters from the hospital describing my condition and giving the date (26 march) of my next hospital visit. He said he was unsure and put me on hold to ask a colleague. He came back to me to say that if that was the stance from the UC side then there wasn't much they could do. He then said that due to my hospital appointment being on the 26th of March maybe I could try phoning UC earlier than the 14th. He offered to calculate the benefits I might receive but I have already done this with Turn2Us so I politely declined and thanked him for his advice.

This has been really frustrating as I've prepared written notes and had to use up a lot of nervous energy in making these calls only to be told that nothing can be done at this time. The main thing for me is to find a way to reduce the amount of worry I am spending on this issue because it is going to make my eye worse. I really want to go to my next hospital appointment and be told there has been some improvement because a lot of the treatment options for this have side effects. I'm clinging on to the hope that this can improve naturally through stress reduction. The problem with that is that I've become virtually housebound in order to try and avoid any stress which isn't a long term option.

Is being able to ask for an extension only 1 week before the deadline a non negotiable part of the UC rules? Is there any other way that I can escalate this request? My main worry in all this is the uncertainty of the outcome in moving to UC. I am in private rented accommodation which has risen in price over the last few years and all my other bills are going up so I am very worried about being able to continue to afford to pay those costs once my benefits change. I have received a significant amount of council tax support and I am unsure as to whether this is going to continue or not based on comments from other members. I am also very concerned about having to go to the jobcentre as I am very anxious when out of the house and something like this would take my anxiety through the roof. I could always try ringing UC and/or CAB again next week and see whether they might know of another way to extend my deadline?

Thanks for your advice.