DWP warns people under state pension age 'several changes' are coming to benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions has warned Employment and Support Allowance claimants to act. The DWP has warned recipients of the benefit to take immediate action to avoid payment disruption before Christmas.
Several changes are coming to the benefits system, the DWP says. People in receipt of ESA have been warned that they’ll need to take immediate action as a result of changes coming to the benefits system, which is run by the DWP.
As the DWP is phasing out ESA, those claiming it will need to put in an application for Universal Credit. But the changeover will not happen automatically, meaning claimants need to manually apply themselves in order to continue receiving the benefit.
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There is a three-month window that claimants will have to secure their applications for Universal Credit. Any claimant who does not make the switch within that three-month window will see their payments stop, so people are being encouraged to apply for Universal Credit as soon as possible to avoid that.
"Move to Universal Credit if you get a migration notice letter,” reads the official DWP statement. “As one or more of your benefits will be ending soon, you need to move to Universal Credit." The statement adds: "To continue receiving financial support you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given in your letter. This is three months from the date the letter was sent out."
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. ESA gives you money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work and support to get back into work if you’re able to.
You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed. You can apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you’re under State Pension age and you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.