DWP: 95% of ESA invitees now on Universal Credit
Nearly a quarter of a million people previously on Employment and Support Allowance have had one‑to‑one help to move to Universal Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions says more than 95% of invited ESA claimants have now switched – 750,423 people – drawing on research released on 11 November and a press update on 14 November. We’ve pulled the useful bits into plain English, with steps you can take if a letter lands on your doormat.
If you receive a “migration notice” letter, treat it as a deadline. You typically have three months to make a Universal Credit claim, and you can ask for extra time before the date on the letter if you have a good reason. DWP also sends a reminder letter in week seven and a text in week ten if you haven’t claimed yet. If you’re struggling, ring the Migration Notice helpline early rather than waiting.
Extra help exists if you’re likely to need more support. From week 12, DWP runs what it calls the Enhanced Support Journey – a package that can include outbound phone calls, home visits and checks with local organisations to make sure you can claim what you’re entitled to. This support focuses on practical hurdles like ID checks, rent information, budgeting and payment dates.
Does it work? According to DWP’s analysis, 39% of ESA customers were flagged for this enhanced support between July 2024 and May 2025. Many were successfully contacted by phone or text; around 14% were referred for a home visit. Claim rates among ESA groups are high – typically 94–99% – and more than 95% across the cohort.
Money changes matter here too. Ministers plan to raise the Universal Credit standard allowance above inflation so that by 2029/30 a single person aged 25+ is £725 a year better off in cash terms. The Institute for Fiscal Studies describes this as the biggest permanent real‑terms rise in basic out‑of‑work support since the 1980s, while also noting wider reforms to disability‑related support.
Keep an eye on key dates. Tax Credits closed in April 2025. Income Support and income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance are scheduled to close on 1 April 2026. A DWP circular confirms a new commencement order was made on 3 November 2025 and took effect on 14 November 2025, changing how some Housing Benefit cases move over. Mark these dates if they apply to you.
Worried you’ll be worse off? Transitional protection can top up your Universal Credit at the point you switch if you move through the managed process and claim by your deadline. It can reduce if your UC rises and can stop if your circumstances change, so read the small print before you make changes to your claim.
If you’re moving from ESA, you may not need to provide new fit notes or have another Work Capability Assessment if certain criteria are met. Students can sometimes claim UC too depending on their course and situation. Check the GOV.UK guidance for the conditions that apply to you before you submit anything.
If you’re stuck, ask for help early. The DWP helpline can extend deadlines where there’s a good reason and explain what evidence to gather; Jobcentre staff can offer longer appointments; Citizens Advice’s Help to Claim service provides free, independent support. Some people will also be offered a home visit if that’s the best way to get a claim over the line.
Media literacy tip: check two official sources when you see big numbers. Press releases give the headlines (for example, 220,000 people receiving tailored help and 95% claiming); the research and statistics pages show how those numbers were collected and broken down. We’ve cited both so you can read the originals.