A FEW months ago, James received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It was called a Migration Notice, and it told James he needed to take action to move to Universal Credit (UC). UC is designed to streamline and simplify six old-style benefits into a single monthly payment.
‘I rEALISED I WAS TALKING TO AN EMPATHETIC PERSON WHO UNDERSTOOD ME’
Eligibility criteria apply. For more information and support on Universal Credit, visit gov.uk/ucmove
A Smooth move
James delayed migrating to Universal Credit for months after receiving his letter – but when the time came to act, not only did he find it easy, there was plenty of help available too
“With hindsight,” James says, “putting off filling it in until the last minute was a massive mistake as I could have saved myself three months of worry.” ESA customers like James, who have an existing Work Capability Assessment decision, don’t need a new one if their claim has continued and their health condition hasn’t changed.
Most will also be entitled to the same level of support (see guide below).
“The online form took about an hour to complete,” James says. “There were no difficult questions. But I did also have to download a government ID checker app to my phone to prove who I am. “I also discovered that I could take out an advance until my first Universal Credit payment came through – repayable, interest-free, over a maximum period of two years. “That was a relief as I was worried I’d be without funds during the move.”
Having made his claim to Universal Credit, James found the guidance of his work coach invaluable: “He was fantastic. I realised straight away that I was talking to an empathetic person who wanted to understand my situation.” His work coach, who has worked for the DWP for nearly a decade, says he gets great satisfaction from helping people, and explains that after moving to Universal Credit “customers have an online account containing what’s called a journal, in which they can write messages to the DWP and get answers”.
And, he adds, “There’s still a phone number, for people who aren’t online.” James, for one, is happy with the new system. “Everything comes under one monthly payment – my benefits, and our housing allowance,” he says. “I also like the interaction with the DWP through the journal.
“As I have an existing Work Capability Assessment decision, my work coach also explained that I would receive a work allowance that would allow me to do some part-time work without it affecting my Universal Credit.”
So what’s James’s advice to people receiving their migration letters?
“Don’t overthink it,” he says. “Once you receive your letter, just complete the application.”
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Are you on income-related Employment and Support Allowance?
Then sometime before the end of 2025 you will be moving from your old-style benefit to Universal Credit.
When it comes to your turn, you will receive a letter, called a “Migration Notice”, which explains what to do. Some may already have received this.
It’s important that you don’t do anything until after you’ve received your letter.
Don’t ignore it, though – you need to take action to continue receiving support.
This letter will direct you to an online application form. You should find this easy to complete. But if you do need assistance, you can call the official DWP helpline listed in the letter.
It will also give details of the free and impartial Help to Claim support from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland.
You will likely receive at least the same level of support on UC as you do from your old-style benefits.
But if your entitlement is less, you could be entitled to an additional amount to make up the shortfall, if you meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
This support is added automatically to your Universal Credit payment. How long you receive this will depend on your circumstances.
Remember, support is available if you have any problems or need to ask questions.
Your Migration Notice: what happens next
You can fill in the form online – or chat to someone over the phone
James feared moving to Universal Credit – but soon found it simple
Hundreds of thousands of people have already made the move to UC, and now it’s the turn of those claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Having been on ESA for over a decade, James, 55, from Gloucestershire, was worried about what this might mean.
But a chat with a DWP work coach allayed his fears.
The Migration Notice letter gives a DWP helpline to call, as well as details of the free and impartial Help to Claim support provided by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland for help with your application. Do remember, though, that it’s important you only apply for UC when your Migration Notice letter arrives, and you apply by the deadline shown on that letter.
“My migration letter gave me a three-month deadline to fill in the online form to transfer to Universal Credit,” says James, who lives with chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
It’s important you only apply for UC when your Migration Notice letter arrives, and you apply by the deadline shown on that letter
James feared moving to Universal Credit – but soon found it simple
You can fill in the form online – or chat to someone over the phone