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DWP confirms “small numbers” of ESA managed migrations from September

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The DWP has confirmed that “small numbers” of employment and support allowance claimants have now received universal credit (UC) managed migration notices.

The news was included in the latest edition of the “LA Welfare Direct Bulletin” sent out to local authority staff today.  It follows on from the DWP changing the official “Move to universal credit” website in late September to say that ESA claimants may get their migration letter “From September 2024”.

Under the headline “Update:  Move to UC” the bulletin states:

“In September 2024, we started issuing Migration Notices to households receiving Pension aged tax credits (including mixed aged couples), income-based Jobseekers Allowance and small numbers of income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (including ESA with HB).”

No further information is included, for example, when the process will be ramped up to include significant numbers of ESA claimants.

But it looks as though the DWP is adopting an initially cautious approach to see what issues arise with these first cases before tackling larger numbers of claimants.  However, the longer the early “test and learn” phase lasts, the greater the pressure will be to rush claimants through if everyone is to receive their migration notice by the deadline of December 2025.

You can read the LA Welfare Direct Bulletin here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    A
    · 2 months ago
    I’m one of the small number of esa(ir) claimants who received their managed migration letter. I claimed last week. Living in a constant state of anxiety. Today should have received a child tax credit payment. Very scary. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Becks
    · 2 months ago
    I've just had to do mine. Very scared and worried. Nothing in the forms about why you claim ESA. Also no money for up to 6 weeks, I'm living on my PIP alone right now. No rent or council tax being paid. I'm to scared to take their loan offer, as I have no clue what money I will get from this move.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 2 months ago
      @Marc Fabulous post. I wish EVERYBODY would read this. Far too many negative comments on here when people don't, or won't listen to the FACTS.

      The migration is not difficult, and nor is the financial impact.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 2 months ago
      @Jonno Excellent post. Lots of people aren't aware that your ESA & HB are paid for a further 2 weeks after you claim UC. If you plan when initiate your claim correctly, very few should have to take up the advance payment option.

      You DON'T have to wait 5 weeks with only Pip as your sole income.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jonno
      · 2 months ago
      @Marc Excellent points. So if it takes 5 weeks for the first UC payment to be made to you then the fact that Esa and HB are run on for two weeks means you have roughly 3 weeks to wait. That's not much more than what a new claim for JSA took back in the day. In addition, you can also get an advance payment as well.

      Thank you so much for this post. Whilst I'm still anxious about the switchover it has helped alleviate it.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Marc
      · 2 months ago
      @Chris Hi Chris, ESA/IS/HB will continue until 2 weeks after the date you make the UC claim. So if you claim UC on 10 October, your Legacy benefits are paid up until 24 October. This 2 week "run on" is to try and reduce the gap with no money. 
      For example if you got paid from Legacy on 9 October and then claimed UC on 10 October, you would get your usual Legacy payment on 23 October to last you until your first UC payment comes through. 
      It can be a substantial gain as for a 2 week period you are paid the full amount of both UC and Legacy. So your rent and living costs are paid twice for 2 weeks. It might not feel like it at the time but overall you are better off during the month you migrate once it settles down 

      Hope this helps 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris
      · 2 months ago
      @Becks I thought we were going to be allowed to stay on our legacy benefits till our UC claim went through????
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Heather I
    · 2 months ago
    I have been stuck on a low rate esa for years after 20years loved teaching. While other recieved cost of living support I am led to believe all on ESA got nothing another £900 for UC soon I think. Now we are going to be moved to universal credit.a barrier,exclusion reduction 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Zebra babe
    · 2 months ago
    I was moved over in Feb 24, assured if ld have protection for a period of time but then lost everything as apparently my husband earns too much despite being ok on tax credits. I've enquired several times as even the severe disability part has gone too. I'm on esa support group and it hasn't affected this thank goodness. Just my tax credits. 
    I should not have been done as I have 3 children which wasn't on the list to migrate yet and I'm on esa ,again not yet to migrate but I was forced to. So I'm now £340 worse off every month. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Clive
      · 2 months ago
      @Zebra babe You need to call the dwp although the severe disability payments have been scrapped you should still get the child element of uc 
      First go to benefits calculator and fill that in online it will calculate what your entitled to 
      Hope this helps 
      Clive 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Julie P
    · 2 months ago
    Hi can someone please clarify if this migration is for income related ESA or contribution based ESA or both? 
    Thanks Julie 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 2 months ago
      @Julie P Income related esa
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 2 months ago
      @marc2013 Well this doesn't reconcile with comments from @Marc (a little higher up in post order) who states the 2 week esa amount isn't deducted, and in effect, you recive thos twice as they pay you the full start from start of UC application. He says the same applies to HB.

      So which is it?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      marc2013
      · 2 months ago
      @Helen Hi Helen. 

      You will be migrated during this next phase with most other ESA claimants. So between now and December 2025. Anyone who is getting IR-ESA will be migrated regardless of what other benefits they may be getting 

      The way it will work is they will continue to pay the CB-ESA every fortnight as usual. This will be around £274 a fortnight if you are in the support group. 

      Then for UC they work out how much you would get each month, then deduct the ESA payments you already get fortnightly. And pay you the difference 

      So you end up with the same amount of money overall as someone only on IR-ESA BUT you continue to get the ESA paid fortnightly so gey 3 paydays each month instead of 1 

      Hope this helps 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      marc2013
      · 2 months ago
      @Julie P Hi Julie 

      If you get IR-ESA only, or get both IR-ESA and CB-ESA then you will definitely need to migrate 

      If you only get CB-ESA:

      You will need to migrate if you also get Housing Benefit 
      You will NOT need to migrate if you do not get housing benefit with a CB-ESA only claim. 

      Hope this helps
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MarshaBronson
      · 2 months ago
      @Marion The difference it will make is that you might be entitled to claim NS ESA with your UC claim, though the amount you receive for the NS ESA will be deducted from your UC total. I was mixed ESA and already migrated. Look up NS ESA to see how it works. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Vonny
    · 2 months ago
    Can I claim pip for my autistic grandson. I have him every weekend Friday to Sunday. He's 2. Thank you. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Vonny
    · 2 months ago
    I've seen this going around. So if we are on esa we are getting moved to uc.  I'm on pip to but Live in scotland so I've had my letter that is moving to ADP. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    empty123
    · 2 months ago
    Can somebody kindly explain to me what ‘means testing pip’ actually means. I’m OAP getting the new state pension and pip. If they means test it would I lose it all. I cannot possibly work no matter what I’m too ill and riddled with arthritis plus about 8 other long term conditions, Dystonia being one of them. No way could I work it’s impossible. Just wondered if it does get means tested what does that mean. Thank you kindly anyone and all the very best to all

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      marc2013
      · 2 months ago
      @empty123 Hi empty123 

      Rather than give you a long confusing explanation of how it all works I can tell you that if your only income is State Pension and PIP, even if they do means test PIP the most you could lose is £3.05 each week. 
      Hope this puts your mind at rest 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Darren
      · 2 months ago
      @Clive Did not know that
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Clive
      · 2 months ago
      @Darren 6000 is the limit for what ?
      Makes no difference how much you have in the bank for either pension or pip which is not means tested so don't worry 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Missy
      · 2 months ago
      @empty123 It means they look at how much money you have coming into your house. If all you have is the state pension that wont push you over a means test. PIP is not allowed to be used as an income when you are means tested for anything because that money is to help with your disabilities not help pay your bills. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Darren
      · 2 months ago
      @empty123 I think it mean how much money you have in the bank. £6000 is the limit
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Andi66
    · 2 months ago
    Why bring it forward from 28/ 29,  Knowing a flaw in UC . We are vunerable.  The same worry is with Pip what's happening.  I'm still waiting back   from my IR Esa review form , since January 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Adam
    · 2 months ago
    Depression Anxiety is crippling I shut the world out have no energy. I can’t even do the small household stuff, I focus on everything overwhelming me, my body aches and hurts. My physical problems greatly add to this. I can’t be around anyone. Just dreading what may come as I know I won’t have energy to deal with it. Just wish charities were really standing up against all this to stop me spiralling further…’
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    CantSeeTheJoin
    · 2 months ago
    Am I alone in being unable to see the join from where the Tories left off and Labour picked up?  

    Personally, I don't expect any extension to timelines, nor do I envisage any changes to plans from Labour.   Particularly so with the combo of Reeves and Kendall holding the responsibility.  

    Reeves comes across as so far out her depth that we can no longer even see her waving from the shore.  

    Kendall is the biggest suck-up I have ever witnessed, and she'll be looking for mega Brownie points off the back of what she's prepared to sacrifice from *her* budget towards the corporate pot.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ah
    · 2 months ago
    To determine how many letters must be sent out each week and month for 1.6 million people claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to migrate to Universal Credit (UC) by December 2025, we need to calculate the number of weeks and months between now (October 2024) and December 2025.

    Step 1: Calculate the time frame
    Current date: October 2024
    End date: December 2025
    The time frame is approximately 14 months or about 60 weeks from October 2024 to December 2025.

    Step 2: Calculate letters per week
    Total number of people: 1.6 million
    Time period: 60 weeks
    ​
    ≈26,667 letters per week

    Step 3: Calculate letters per month
    Total number of people: 1.6 million
    Time period: 14 months
    ​
    ≈114,286 letters per month

    Summary:
    Letters per week: Approximately 26,667
    Letters per month: Approximately 114,286
    This means that to ensure all 1.6 million ESA claimants migrate to UC by December 2025, approximately 26,667 letters need to be sent out each week, or 114,286 letters each month.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ah
      · 2 months ago
      @DJMH15 DJMH15 Not autistic
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      DJMH15
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah Ah, a fellow autist!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah The DWP will simply employ more people to cope with the demand, and transition.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      HRH
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah thank you for taking the time to calculate this.

      based on your clear calculations, it is moe likely than not that, the esa to UC migration letters will not be sent by December 2025
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bonnie
    · 2 months ago
    Thanks for this information, it makes it clearer, theres people on you tube with misleading information and not helpful. This makes it clear 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jonno
    · 2 months ago
    This paragraph in your analysis leapt out at me.

    "However, the longer the early “test and learn” phase lasts, the greater the pressure will be to rush claimants through if everyone is to receive their migration notice by the deadline of December 2025."

    Let's hope we hear at the budget that the test and learn phase will be implemented carefully and slowly and that the date for everyone to be migrated has been put back from December 2025.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      DJMH15
      · 2 months ago
      @Jonno I thought it was this December, first time have realised it is next year
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    JJ
    · 2 months ago
    I await October 30th's budget with baited breath, wondering what horrors are up the sleeves of Reeves. Any predictions? You see with me I procrastinate, think too much but I do think that more will be done to tackle the growth of depression/anxiety which is affecting the younger generations the most.

    Is Depression and Anxiety enough for you not to work? I was signed off with depression/anxiety in 2019 and I took part in a course and I was recovering then covid happened, I lost the plot completely 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bobby
      · 2 months ago
      @JJ Nothing will happen. Labour will just carry on with what the stories have already implemented. They are vile period 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mr Y.
      · 2 months ago
      @MrFibro Won't make much sense that. Because forcing long term sick/ disabled people too quickly into jobs they obviously can't do to the required standards , would just be totally unproductive for the employers & just make the
       long-term sick / disabled people even worse. They would have to make certain that people can actually perform work duties to the required standard & that they can cope in the workplace environments too.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 2 months ago
      @MrFibro Kendall's main priority is the 18 to 24 year olds which is a cohort of over half a million who she wants in work or training
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Rik
      · 2 months ago
      @JJ Predictions for the budget: A freeze on benefit increases for anything between 1 -3 years.

      Predictions for Kendall's "Getting Britain Working": means-tested PIP (while not increasing the benefit cap), more reviews of ESA/UC claimants and, I reckon, scrapping of the Support Group.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro
      · 2 months ago
      @JJ Who knows, which route, kendall make take to get people back into work.  It may be by age ie younger people first.

      Or by claimants health conditions / disabilities etc.

      Or she may just go with all guns blazing on anyone, and everyone irrespective of age.

      The proof will be in the pudding.

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