“If you get that letter, don’t ignore it.” That was Sir Stephen Timms’ line as the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed more than 220,000 vulnerable ESA claimants have received tailored help to move to Universal Credit. New figures also show over 95% of ESA customers invited to move have claimed - around 750,000 people - with the latest insight paper published on Tuesday 11 November and the press release landing today.

Behind the headline is what officials call the Enhanced Support Journey - the extra hand-holding offered when someone is more likely to struggle. DWP data shows 39% of ESA invitees were flagged for this pathway between July 2024 and May 2025. Of these, 59% received a successful text ahead of a call, around a third were successfully supported by outbound telephony, and 14% were referred for a home visit; about half of those visits were ultimately not needed. The department also highlights outbound calls achieving roughly a 40% contact rate.

Claim rates for ESA households are high. DWP’s insight shows 94–99% of ESA combinations claimed once invited, with telephone claims used far more than usual. Looking across all legacy groups invited up to May 2025, 85% of households claimed while 15% did not and saw their legacy benefit end; transitional protection has been awarded to just over half of eligible households so far.

This matters in the North because health and disability need here is higher. The DWP’s own Work Capability Assessment statistics show the North East has the highest share of Universal Credit claimants on a health element in England - 39% in December 2024 - with the North West at 36% and Yorkshire and The Humber at 34%. In Tees Valley, long‑term sickness accounts for more than a third of economic inactivity, well above the national picture. That’s why the extra phone support and home visits could make a real difference on our patch.

Support is not just Whitehall-led. Citizens Advice’s Help to Claim service remains free on 0800 144 8444, and locally the advice sector is busy - Citizens Advice Gateshead alone supports more than 12,000 people a year through its hubs. DWP says people who need more time must ask before their deadline; there’s also a dedicated Move to UC helpline on 0800 169 0328. Councils and Jobcentres in places like Gateshead and Blaydon also provide access to computers and in‑person help for claims.

Deadlines still matter. Migration notices normally give three months to claim; if you’re up against it, you can request an extension before that date. If you miss the original deadline but claim within a further month, you can still qualify for transitional protection. Miss both and your legacy benefit will stop. The programme is due to complete by March 2026.

The timetable is tightening elsewhere too. Income Support and income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance are scheduled to close from 1 April 2026 under regulations made this month, while Tax Credits closed on 5 April 2025. For Northern households still on legacy benefits, the message is simple: act when the letter lands to protect your income.

Money-wise, ministers point to the Universal Credit standard allowance rising by up to £725 in cash terms by 2029/30 for single adults over 25 - described by the Institute for Fiscal Studies as the biggest permanent real‑terms boost to basic out‑of‑work support since 1980. The IFS also notes that, when weighed against other elements of the welfare package, near‑term savings look much slimmer than first billed. For families here, the practical question is whether payments arrive on time and match rising costs.

Amid the numbers sit real people. One claimant quoted by DWP said the extra help “made all the difference”, praising a named work coach who “explained things clearly and made the process smooth.” Not everyone will get that ideal experience first time, but where lines are busy or letters are confusing, the enhanced support route and local advice services can step in.

DWP says it is bringing disabled people into policy‑making more directly, with campaigner Zara Todd appointed to chair a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel. That work will be judged on whether it improves the day‑to‑day experience in Jobcentres across our towns and cities. For now, the advice stands: if a Migration Notice hits your doormat, respond, get help early, and keep the payments flowing.