Universal Credit Migration Notice Extention

Sorry I must have posted my answer in the wrong place, please see below

David,

Many thanks. I am very grateful for this information.

That’s interesting. I wonder why they gave you an extension when you didn’t ask for one?

That makes sense. Thanks, BIS.

I've just received the same letter giving me an extra 6 weeks from the original deadline (I didn't make contact with the DWP to request one, I can't speak on the phone due to my autism). The letter has exactly the same wording, nothing about a 'final deadline', just that they have extended the deadline for claiming UC and stopping the legacy benefits of ESA and housing benefits.

6 weeks seems to be an exception to the 4 week rule, I wonder if this is because a 4 week extension would be over Christmas and the New Year. I didn't ask for it, I was going to submit my claim over this weekend, but that would mean I'd have a difficult Christmas, New Year and no money for my significant birthday (early January). I'm anticipating difficulties with getting my spare room allowance for an overnight carer on UC (which I've had for over a decade on housing benefit) and need the DWP to pay my rent directly to the council too. So I will take the extension as they're probably overwhelmed with claims at this time, with the holiday season approaching. I fit their complex needs criteria.

The DWP have made no effort to contact me regarding my UC claim, they don't have a phone number for me though and I'm very rural, so no home visits have been attempted. I suspect they are now having to deal with the most vulnerable ESA claimants since they pushed out the remaining notifications in September.