Experts said people should be on “high alert” to avoid facing “serious financial difficulties”
Those claiming both Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been urged to “be on high alert”. The warning comes as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) begins its work migrating those eligible to Universal Credit.
Experts have revealed those who fail to “take immediate action” could see their benefits stopped, as reported by TeesideLive. A spokesperson from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice told the outlet: “People claiming ESA alongside PIP should be on high alert.
“If you’ve received a letter from the DWP since the start of September, it is vital that you act to make the transition to Universal Credit as soon as possible. Ignoring this could mean having your payments stopped just ahead of Christmas, which could cause serious financial difficulties.”
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The expert confirmed the move to Universal Credit will affect those currently claiming six types of support. These consist of child tax credits, housing benefits, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related ESA and working tax credits.
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The spokesperson said it is “crucial” for people receiving these benefits to “pay attention” to any letters from the DWP. They added: “You have three months from the date of your letter to make a claim, otherwise you could lose your entitlements entirely.
“On Universal Credit, most claimants will receive the same amount or more compared to their previous benefits, but this is not guaranteed. If you are worse off under Universal Credit, you may be entitled to a top-up called transitional protection, which will cover the difference.
“However, this protection is only available if you respond to the DWP’s Migration Notice in time and make your claim before the deadline. Any changes in circumstances could also impact how much you receive.”
