"IR-ESA to UC Migration Letter" Slightly Overwhelmed...

Hi there all,

I do hope you are all doing well, with everything going on in the news, it can be quite hard to watch at times...
I have been Slightly Overwhelmed recently, a little stressed out and a bit anxious too, in all honesty.
I would appreciate a little help if anyone here would be so kind. I have had the Migration letter for nearly 2 months now.

Ok So -

I am trying to work out for me when would be the best time to make our claim but there is something I don't fully understand.

I initially decided I would set accounts up and start processing our claim at the beginning of the 3rd Month, that being July.
I changed my mind. I have decided to start the claim on the 8th of July, 1 Day after my IR-ESA payment from DWP, Thus Being 3 weeks left till the "Must Claim By Date...on the letter" Does that matter I don't know..?

My Questions -
It states you get 28 days once you start a claim to submit it, Just for every eventuality and more to understand what they are asking of me.

Q1) Are they stating I will get 28 Days to complete and submit my claim once have initially made a UC account and started answering the questions? Ie: I have to submit it within 28 days of starting it...?

Q2) Can I make a claim anytime up to the "Must Claim by date"...? (In my case 30th July)

Q3) If I make a claim anytime up to the "Must Claim by date". Will I still be awarded the 28 days to complete it..?
Would this make the "Must Claim by date"...? null and void, so to speak?


To Clarify -

In my Instance, the Claim must be made by 30th July -

Q4) Could I start a claim right up to the end of the claim period, say starting the process on the 29th of July?
Would UC at this point still award you the full 28 days to complete the claim, therefore running over the "Must Claim by date"...?

Q5) I am interested if anyone has left it till the last few days to make their claim and if so did they experience any issues..?
Q6) What are people's views on when is the best time to claim in the 3 months..?



I am looking to start the process of making our claim on the 8th of July to be finished and done with by the end of July
Tnx so much for anyone's input. All comments are very much appreciated.
I know I have waffled on, sorry for that but I didn't fully know how to express myself, or what I was trying to ask/ I hope I got it across and it is understandable, what I am asking. I look forward to your answers.
Kindest of Regards
Paul

Hi there,
A quick'ish reply and tnx for your input BIS*, your input on this message would be invaluable too, if you get a few minutes spare.

...

REF ID.
I was also worried it might leg us up so, Hence -
I changed my driving licence to a photo ID version, a month or so ago to cover having a photo ID.
My partner's passport had run out several years so I paid for that so she has an up-to-date photo ID. also.
*** I am hoping that is enough as far as ID goes...

My Claim / Our Claim
I am hoping is straightforward, fingers crossed...

We outright own our home. So no housing costs anymore etc.

I'm in the Support group for IR ESA & Claim for my partner.
My partner does permitted work under ESA, max £80 a month but with the rigmarole of having to be self-employed for UC, and a few other things going on, for the time being, she has advised by letter who she works for she will be finishing by the end of June, Hence our claim being beginning July...

We have not advised ESA yet regarding my partner finishing her permitted work at the end of June. I don't feel we need to as we are making a new claim for UC.
We have the letter that ends the work relationship should it be asked for.
So with that being said - No work or employment to be looked at.

Moving forward -
My partner will be claiming the carer element of UC for me.

For Ref - We had never claimed carer allowance before (Right or wrong) because I was advised early on it affected the overall claim amount and reduced it by that full amount from ESA income.
I was told it reduced my partner's ni credits towards state pension also, another reason why.
As the carer element is part of the UC claim, I believe NI Credits are awarded for this. We feel it's the right time to claim it. My partner was an unpaid carer for over 25. She easily covers the hours required to claim.....

Based on the above My being in the Support Group, My partner claiming Carer Element - there should be only a basic "Universal Credit claimant commitment" with no work-related activities or other.

To me, this seems like a fairly straightforward claim, Let hope and I hope and I pray it goes smoothly...

I still to this day cannot see why they didn't just say you were on this in ESA we migrated you, and this is now what you will receive...???

Anyway, that would be just too easy eh...

Look forward to any further comments BIS and thank you for kindly replying to my 1st message, it is much appreciated.
Paul