× Members

ESA withheld after a move

More
5 years 5 months ago #240218 by Lola Loo
ESA withheld after a move was created by Lola Loo
I have been receiving ESA and PIP for a few years now. I was placed in the support group - unsure if that is relevant but mentioning just in case. Recently I moved to a different county - both scottish counties - and I phoned both the ESA and PIP phone lines to inform them. Against advice, I did not follow up these calls with written letters; I did, however, phone a few days later and checked my address status and asked for written confirmation to be sent to my new address which I received from both ESA and PIP.
After this change my first ESA payment came through as normal but a fortnight later the payment did not turn up. I phoned ESA to find out what was going on and I was told that while my address was changed in the system an extra form that was to be sent to my new local council was not filled in and forwarded. Due to this error I could be weeks without a payment.
For context, I am not currently in my own property. I am temporally living with family while I get my new medical team in place (of which I have started making appointments) and get my social worker assigned. Once these things are in place I will apply for my own housing, which to my knowledge will trigger the change on to UC so I am getting prepared for that.
Is this purely the error caused by an uncompleted form on the ESAs behalf or have I made an error myself somewhere? I am unsure how to move forward and I, if it is me at fault, I am worried about repercussions like sanctions.
Any thoughts or advice on this would be appreciated. I don't know that I have explained myself and the situation well so feel free to ask more questions and I'll do my best to answer where I can.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
5 years 5 months ago #240225 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA withheld after a move
Lola Loo

Were you receiving Housing Benefit at your old address? If you were, did you contact the Local Authority about your move?

If you were not receiving HB then I cannot see any other activities that you should have performed. It might be worth your contacting the DWP again, what you were told may not be entirely accurate but if it is you should ask what this form is and why the DWP has not supplied you with a new copy?

Also, consider a complaint to the DWP for what appears to be an error on their part that has resulted in your not receiving your benefit.

Complaining to the DWP

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Lola Loo

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
5 years 5 months ago #240229 by Lola Loo
Replied by Lola Loo on topic ESA withheld after a move
Hi Gordon,
Thank you for the quick reply. I was receiving local LHA and living in a private rental. I contacted the council the day I moved out, however, and I have a letter from them confirming the cancellation of my LHA and the date that it ended.
It is reassuring to know that I am likely not in the wrong here. I am going to contact the ESA again tomorrow for a follow up - to check that form has in fact been sent as I did not receive a follow up call from my local council as promised this afternoon - and if that yields no progression I will go down to the local council service point tomorrow to see if they have any further info surrounding this form as they have a benefits service there.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
5 years 5 months ago #240231 by Gary
Replied by Gary on topic ESA withheld after a move
Hi Lola Loo

Just a quick question, when you were receiving ESA did you also get a SDP? If you did then you can still claim legacy benefits now that you have moved, but you would have to sort out your ESA award first. If you apply for UC then you will not be able to go back on to legacy benefits, so seek advice first before doing anything.

Moving address should have no knock on effect with your ESA or PIP claim. ESA may change if your personal circumstances change such as moving in with a partner or moving out.

Gary

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserChrisDavid
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.