ESA and universal credit.

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi everyone.

Just a short query really. I've been on income related esa for approx 5 years or so now. I admit I'm no genius in these matters, but I've had no bother from dwp except so far 3 interviews by their so called experts (maximus or atos or whatever they call themselves.)my question is this. What is the procedure to go from claiming iresa to claiming universal credit? Is it up to me to make the 1st move? Or do I sit and wait for them to contact me? What exactly are the rules?

Many thanks for any help. Your truly Ian. P. S. I've had 3 letters asking to open a bank account which I've ignored and binned. Does this make a difference? Should I comply and open a new account and give them details and would this trigger a letter from dwp to apply for uc? If you get my drift!

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi,

    Those of use claiming the legacy benefits like ESA will not have to transfer to UC until late 2019 at least, possibly much later than that for a lot of people, unless a change of circumstances in the meantime prompts a move to UC.

    When managed migration takes place you'll be asked to apply for the UC. No details have been finalised yet but i'm sure you'll hear about it when the time comes. In the meantime, unless you have a change of circumstances you'll stay as you are and there's nothing to worry about.

    The letters you keep receiving about opening a bank account are because you need a bank account to receive your benefits into. Opening up an account is not classed as a change of circumstances and won't affect any claim you have. May i ask how you receive your benefits if you don't have a bank account?

    Remember for ESA they can reassess you at anything, regardless to how long you're placed into a group for.

    • Posted

      Hi Denise.

      Been a a while since we last spoke on this forum. Hoped you'd respond. Course I don't mind you asking how I get my benefits. I get mine every 2 weeks paid into my post office account with a post office savings card(not the same as a post office personal savings current account.) thanks for knowledge. Put my mind at rest. Thanks. In fact only had a yesterday had email from a certain reputable website saying its up to the claimant to claim uc. Thought it was wrong but to make it worse said all sorts would happen if the 1st move not made by the claimant. Obviously, now I'll ignore it. Just like the letters. 😉

      Cheers, take care Ian.

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