Help! Friend's benefits have been stopped

Muttleythefrog

itsthelittlethings said:

He told me everything was fine but his ESA is still not reinstated. Could it be migration?

Depends on what ESA he is eligible for. UC replaces income related ESA and so he would no longer get that if applicable.... but some have underlying (or existing) entitlement to contributions based (now new style) ESA which would (continue to) be paid (unless claim cancelled) and the amount deducted from the UC award (as unearned income). If the latter scenario is true then obviously he should still get ESA payments... the fact he isn't suggests first scenario and the answer to your question yes. He'll have to find out. Either way he should not be losing out financially unless UC think he is being paid ESA and is not - his UC monthly statement would reveal answer.

KxMx

Income Related ESA stops and is replaced by UC.

Any Contributions Based ESA turns into New Style ESA & gets deducted in full from the UC award. 
ESA payments still go into his bank account. 

Some get confused seeing the deduction on the UC statement and think it's being "taken away" when in actual fact they are still getting the payments. 

itsthelittlethings

I’m having to go and see him next Sunday. His phone has been cut off so we can’t call DWP on a joint line. Of course, we can’t call DWP at the weekend. He very patiently told me everything either DWP will get ironed out.

itsthelittlethings

He also told me I must be very profligate as I would not lend him money until he gets some.

It is a bit of the blind leading the blind here!