Question regarding "change in circumstance" in ESA/UC

Mick442504

Hi all

my son is on ESA SG and in thinking about changing his bank due to his current one being quite terrible, i was just wondering what exactly a "change in circumstance" is when it comes to triggering moves from ESA to UC. We dont really want to go through all that change, would rather just migrate over to UC naturally whenever it comes round, so does changing the bank details in which his payments go into a "change in circumstance"? Also could i ask those who have changed bank details in the past, what is the procedure? would we need to contact them and give new details or do the bank switch it over automatically? They claim to automatically switch over direct debits, etc.

Ames

Mick442504 wrote: »

Hi all

my son is on ESA SG and in thinking about changing his bank due to his current one being quite terrible, i was just wondering what exactly a "change in circumstance" is when it comes to triggering moves from ESA to UC. We dont really want to go through all that change, would rather just migrate over to UC naturally whenever it comes round, so does changing the bank details in which his payments go into a "change in circumstance"? Also could i ask those who have changed bank details in the past, what is the procedure? would we need to contact them and give new details or do the bank switch it over automatically? They claim to automatically switch over direct debits, etc.

Changing bank details won't be a change in circumstances to trigger a move to UC.

I think you'd have to contact the DWP yourself. Keep the old account going until the payments are up and running in the new account.

pmlindyloo

I am presuming you are your son's appointee or have POA.

A change of bank does not trigger migration to UC.

If you are using the new bank's switch service then they should notify everyone of the new bank details.

BUT this is a change of circumstances that should be notified to the Job Centre Plus and should be a relatively straight forward process.

I have used a bank's switch service and have had a couple of problems where a payment went into my old account and not sent to new account (was very complicated to sort) plus one of my DDS did not transfer over.

So, summing up, do check that the switching covers any DDs and any expected payments go through AND give Job Centre Plus the new bank account details.