ESA (Contribution based) does a change of address automatically trigger a move to UC?

Rural_Puppy

Hello
Asking for a friend who has been on ESA (CB) for many years. In support group. Recently changed address, and moved to a different council area in Scotland. DWP has been advised of change of address, and payments have stopped, with no letter or explanation. Would a change of address automatically lead to ESA being stopped? Where can we get more info about this? It is impossible to get through to the DWP to ask!  (Don't think they would be entitled to UC.)

poppy12345

Rural_Puppy said:

Hello
Asking for a friend who has been on ESA (CB) for many years. In support group. Recently changed address, and moved to a different council area in Scotland. DWP has been advised of change of address, and payments have stopped, with no letter or explanation. Would a change of address automatically lead to ESA being stopped? Where can we get more info about this? It is impossible to get through to the DWP to ask!  (Don't think they would be entitled to UC.)

No, it's not classed as a change of circumstances that will prompt a move to UC. Contributions based ESA is not part of UC anyway. It can take an hour and more to get through to DWP, they will need to kepp trying.

Rural_Puppy

Thank you for your prompt reply. That is quite good news I think about ESA. CB not being migrated to UC yet.
We finally got through to ESA, but unfortunately got cut off before the end of the call. Don't know why. My friend also receives PIP, and sent identical letters about the COA to both PIP and ESA on the same day.
The DWP agent said that the ESA claim was stopped, because of the PIP letter, "because we (ESA) had not heard anything from the claimant".
When asked how it could be that one department received a letter, but the other did not, when both letters were posted at the same time, the response from DWP was "I don't know". 
The phone line then went dead.
What should we try now? Is it worth sending a duplicate of the original letter? Or do we just have to try and phone again, which is a lengthy and stressful process for someone already quite ill.

poppy12345

Rural_Puppy said:

 CB not being migrated to UC yet.

CB ESA will never ever be moved across to UC because UC is means tested and CB benefits are not.

If it's just a change of address then ring them, letters may never get there. If the person hasn't received their ESA payment then can do a same day payment but you'll need to ring them for this.

Rural_Puppy

Thanks again. And for the info re CB ESA unlikely to bemoving to UC. We were worried because when googling we found this link to the CAB website which seems to indicate that ESA contribution based claimants may be asked to claim UC instead: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/esa-reporting-changes/

poppy12345

CB based benefits are not part of UC, never have been and never will be. if there's an income related element to the ESA then you will need to claim UC in the future but the CB ESA will always remain as ESA.

Rural_Puppy

My friend finally got through to DWP again. You were quite right - took an hour! Fortunately connected with a very helpful and competent member of staff. He checked properly, and found that both the letters re the COA had actually been received. For some reason, actioning the PIP one had led to the ESA being stopped, and the letter about the ESA COA had then not been properly actioned..... so basically a DWP c**k up. He did say that many staff are working from home, and not all the staff who are handling claims have the appropriate training and experience.
He was also apologetic about being cut off, saying that usually staff would try and call people back on the number they had called in on. I suspect that the first person could not be bothered dealing with it, and cut us off and didn't bother noting the number to call back. Not helpful!
Anyway - all sorted, and a payment is being processed today. My rather stressed friend is now mightily relieved. Thank you for your replies, much appreciated!