IR ESA migration to UC, denied service charge payments

I am extremely upset that the DWP has indicated it will not pay my service charges. I am in a state of shock, and I am very concerned that this cannot be correct.

Since I was on income‑related ESA immediately before transferring to Universal Credit, I believe the DWP should credit my ESA period toward the 9‑month requirement. Many tribunals have found that people transferring to UC shouldn’t lose their transitional rights, which I think is highly relevant in my case.

My journal stated:

You need to be paid Universal Credit for 9 months before you can get help with your service charge payments. You also should not earn any money in those 9 months.

Because you made a claim for Universal Credit on 22 September 2025, you are not entitled to help towards your service charge payments.