DWP shares rules for thousands of ESA claimants who must move to Universal Credit

A woman holding a benefits letter from the DWP about an ESA claim
-Credit: (Image: Stoke Sentinel)


The Department for Work and Pensions has shared the rules that apply to thousands of people on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who have been told to move to Universal Credit.

Around 90,000 who claim ESA alongside Child Tax Credit started receiving 'migration notice' letters in June. Another 800,000 who either claim ESA on its own or with Housing Benefit should have started getting their letters in September.

They are then given three months to come off their old benefits and apply for Universal Credit. An extra month can be granted if someone is very late starting their UC claim.

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Income-related ESA is an incapacity benefit for people with health problems and disabilities that affect their ability to work. It pays up to £90.50 a week if someone is in the work-related activity group (which means they'll have to prepare to get a job in the future) or up to £138.20 a week if they are in the support group (which means they no longer have to look for work).

ESA is generally paid every two weeks. Over four weeks, these amounts are equivalent to £380 or £552.80. Disability premiums are often paid on top, increasing the amounts further.

The standard disability premium is £42.50 a week for a single person and £60.60 a week for a couple, while the severe disability premium pays £81.50 a week for a single person and £163.00 a week for a couple if both people are eligible. The enhanced disability premium is £20.85 a week for a single person and £29.75 a week for a couple if at least one person is eligible.

For those who move across to Universal Credit from the ESA support group, this is usually converted into being in the UC group for 'limited capability for work and work-related activity' (LCWRA). This category of claim, for those who are signed off from working or looking for work, offers an additional payment of £416 a month on top of the Universal Credit standard allowance.

The DWP explains in its guidance for moving to Universal Credit how the changeover affects ESA benefit claimants. It said: "If you've been receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you will not need to provide medical evidence such as fit notes, or have a work capability assessment (WCA) if all the following apply:

  • you move from ESA to Universal Credit without a break

  • you've already completed a WCA

  • you were in the support group or work-related activity group in ESA when you made your claim to Universal Credit

"You may need to have another assessment if your WCA is due for a review or your condition changes. If you were providing medical evidence on ESA before you moved, you will still need to provide medical evidence on Universal Credit until you get a WCA decision."

In addition, those on income-related ESA who start a Universal Credit claim will get an extra two weeks of their old benefits to help them manage their finances during the five-week wait for their first UC payment. They can also ask for a Universal Credit new claim advance which offers an immediate amount up to what they'll eventually get in their first UC payment. The advance is like a zero-interest loan and must be repaid in instalments from future benefits.

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