Can I ask to be moved to UC

user1738593

I am on ESA I get the Support group n SDP all the other premiums too, I really want to move over to UC, can I ask to be moved over and get the transitional protection still? As if to ask them to trigger the migration letter? May be a silly question but I want to move boroughs and can’t whilst on ESA as I’ll have to go onto UC sooner then needed and won’t get the TP.

When will the last of people be asked to move over? I am 23 been on this since 2017 and just been left to it as such, but yet there asking much older people then me to move over surely they’d start with the youngens first because there trying to push them back into work?
I’m stuck in Stone Age claiming ESA lol takes so long to requests letters and receive them, waited 3 months before atleast with UC your documents are online.

poppy123456

No, you can't ask them to send you the migration letter, unfortunately that's not how it works.

Why do you think you can't move house while claiming ESA? Yes, you can. If you claim UC because of a change of circumstances such as moving house and you need to claim help with the rent for the first time and you're still entitled to SDP when you claim your UC will include SDP Transitional element.

If you don't need to claim for help with any rent then you remain on ESA and it's just a change of address. Then you wait for the migration letter.

Migration for those claiming ESA is due to end in March 2026 so all of those claiming Income Related ESA should have moved by that date. (whether this is achieved is another matter)

I don't believe there's any particular order that they're sending migration letters.. such as oldest to youngest or vice versa.

I must admit, this is the first time I've heard of someone complaining about a legacy benefit, especially when it includes the SDP.

user1738593

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/948923#Comment_948923

I wasn’t actually complaining I was just curious as I was told that I will have to claim UC if I move boroughs because not all boroughs accept new claims for HB anymore, mine doesn’t either. And to go on UC I’d be worser of quite abit without the TP Payment. But I never knew that if that was the case of needing to and your entitled to the SDO then your still get it. Makes sense but no I was not complaining at all. Seemed like a catch 32 but makes sense now

poppy123456

No new claims for housing benefit are possible for working age people unless you live in either supported or temporary housing.

SDP is not payable when claiming UC but as your ESA includes this when moving across due a change of circumstances such as this then your UC would include the SDP Transitional element.