The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that some vulnerable Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants will be exempt from the July 1 closure date for legacy benefits. The reassurance applies to individuals who require a personal or corporate appointee to manage their benefits but do not yet have such arrangements in place.
Background on Managed Migration
The UK Government is nearing the end of its managed migration programme, which transitions people from older legacy benefits onto Universal Credit. Claimants who receive a Migration Notice are required to apply for Universal Credit by the deadline specified in their letter. The DWP has stated that support is available throughout the process, including through the Move to Universal Credit Helpline and the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice. Eligible households can also receive Transitional Protection if their Universal Credit entitlement would be lower than their existing legacy benefit award, helping to protect their income at the point of migration.
Details of the Exemption
The update was revealed in a written parliamentary answer to Labour MP Luke Charters. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms acknowledged that some claimants require an appointee to manage their affairs but may not have arrangements in place before ESA closes next month. He stated: "We have identified that some customers require a personal or corporate appointee but may not have arrangements in place ahead of the ESA closure date. In such cases, we will exempt these customers from the closure date to ensure they are not disadvantaged."
Support for Vulnerable Claimants
The DWP said extra support is available for vulnerable customers, including many ESA claimants. This includes an Enhanced Support Journey, which offers tailored contact and visiting officer support where appropriate for people who have not yet engaged with the migration process. The exemption is designed to prevent vulnerable claimants from losing support while the necessary arrangements are being put in place. However, the DWP stressed that the exemption will not allow ESA payments to continue indefinitely. Sir Stephen added: "This does not mean ESA will remain in payment indefinitely and a final closure date for these customers will be determined in due course."
Urgency to Engage with the Process
Claimants who have received a Migration Notice and have not yet moved to Universal Credit are being urged to engage with the process as soon as possible. The DWP has repeatedly warned that people who fail to make a claim by the deadline in their Migration Notice risk seeing their existing benefits come to an end. The latest update provides reassurance that additional safeguards are available for some of the most vulnerable ESA claimants to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the move to Universal Credit.
