I'm on esa but do u have to go on UC?

zoeyh86

Hi folks I'm on esa atm but I filed for UC. But is there a way I can stop my UC claim and stay on ESA? As I didn't have to change right now but thought at first I was doing the right thing. But now I'm not so sure can someone please help me? As I'm stressing about this now can I close my UC claim and stay on ESA for now? Please help someone anyone?!

Holly_Scope

Hi @zoeyh86 you can cancel a claim, you just need to contact the DWP. However the aim is for most people to be migrated to UC before the end of September so it's likely to happen at some point in the near future.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Sorry but if you've submitted the UC claim it is probably too late to cancel.

You would be forced to migrate over the next few months anyway. Income Related ESA is ending completely by the end of this year.

Only if you are on all Contributions Based ESA will you keep ESA. If even a small part of your ESA is Income Related then you will have to migrate to UC by the end of the year.

zoeyh86

So if I cancel the UC claim my esa would still stop after 2 weeks? I was on income related esa

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1041175#Comment_1041175

Hi,

Not necessarily as it seems to be taking several weeks for UC to contact ESA at the moment. There is a chance that you could stop the UC and stay on IR ESA for another few months. But it is a risk to cancel the UC now, and as already said, you'd have to move soon anyway, your migration letter could arrive in the post today even.

Do you get SDP with your IR ESA? If no SDP, you would get more money on UC so it is better to move earlier.