PIP claimants issued with Christmas warning

Some people who claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been told they will need to take action before Christmas. The message impacts those who also get Employments Support Allowance (ESA).

Many people on ESA for disabilities and medical conditions also receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP). But ESA is being scrapped to be replaced with Universal Credit (UC) in a major change impacting claimants.

People who get ESA will have to apply for UC as they will not be switched over automatically. Letters are being sent to claimants during September. These are called migration notices.

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Anyone who receives a migration notice will have three months from when the letter was sent to have applied and be signed up to UC. If they do not sign up to the new benefit, their payments will be stopped.

And as letters have been sent to ESA claimants in September, the disruption would come at the worst possible time around Christmas. It makes it crucial that they have their financial affairs in order.

While PIP is not affected as part of the change, many claimants also get ESA so need to be aware of what is happening. ESA is one of six legacy benefits being phased out by the DWP and replaced by UC.

The Government said: "Move to Universal Credit if you get a migration notice letter. As one or more of your benefits will be ending soon, you need to move to Universal Credit.

"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."