I'm worried.

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JustJem

Hi its me again, (sorry I don't mean to repeat myself.. due to my autism I need some kind of reassurance).

I've been told by my local job centre that my review has been moved from December 31st 2022 to November 2023.

Due to my mental health issues and autism, I fixate on things and worry about anything to do with benefits... thankfully my mum is my appointee and all letters go to her address.

Thankfully I have my PIP until 2028, pending review in 2027. 

If the worst came to the worst, and for any reason I would have to claim UC? What is the procedure for that and will I be financially worse off if I lost my ESA?

Thanks.

calcotti

JustJem said:. 

If the worst came to the worst, and for any reason I would have to claim UC? What is the procedure for that and will I be financially worse off if I lost my ESA?

Whether you would be better or worse off depends on how how existing ESA claim is made up and what the reason for changing is. Therefore there isn’t a definite answer.

In general if there is no change in your circumstances your ESA is worth more if you receive a Severe Disability Premium in your ESA, if you don’t UC will pay more.

if you did need to switch you would simply make a claim for UC. As soon an application is made there is no going back and an application will automatically end your ESA claim two weeks later.

The forced ‘managed migration’ of ESA claimants to ESA to UC has been delayed until  2028 (because the believe the government it will save them £1bn in benefit payments. If you switch as part of that process you are guaranteed to get at least the same on UC as the same as your old benefits on the day of change.