The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that some vulnerable Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants will not lose their benefit payments when the legacy benefit closes on July 1. This reassurance applies to individuals who require a personal or corporate appointee to help manage their benefits but do not yet have such arrangements in place ahead of the ESA closure date.
Details of the Exemption
The update was provided in a written parliamentary answer to Labour MP Luke Charters, offering fresh details on safeguards for vulnerable ESA claimants who have not yet completed the move to Universal Credit. The UK Government is nearing the end of its managed migration programme, which transitions people from older legacy benefits onto Universal Credit. Recipients of a Migration Notice must claim Universal Credit by the deadline specified in their letter.
The DWP 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.
Enhanced Support for Vulnerable Claimants
The Department highlighted extra support for vulnerable customers, including many ESA claimants. This includes an Enhanced Support Journey, which offers tailored contact and visiting officer support where appropriate for individuals who have not yet engaged with the migration process. However, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms acknowledged that some claimants require an appointee to manage their affairs and may not have arrangements in place before ESA closes next month.
Responding to the question, Sir Stephen said: "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."
Exemption Not Indefinite
The Department clarified that this exemption is designed to prevent vulnerable claimants from losing support while necessary arrangements are being made. However, it 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."
Claimants who have received a Migration Notice and have not yet moved to Universal Credit are urged to engage with the process as soon as possible. The DWP has repeatedly warned that failure to claim by the deadline risks ending existing benefits. 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.
