Hi can any help with this question please. ESA3 Form and What changes in circumstances might trigger a move to Universal Credit?
I was reading that anyone who has a change of circumstance requiring a new benefit claim will be moved earlier via 'natural migration' to UC. This group of people will also lose their right to transitional protection which is only available for managed migrants to UC.
It says Natural migration could be triggered if entitlement to your current benefit ends (prompting a need to claim a new one) or you become entitled to a different or extra benefit. It shouldn't happen when you make changes to benefits you are already claiming.
I’m currently claiming Contribution-based ESA, support group but received an ESA3 form for the period between 2014-2019. It says I might also be eligible for IR ESA. If I am eligible for back payments, as I answered No to all the eligibility questions. Does that mean I’ll be entitled to CB ESA and IR ESA henceforth and will be asked to claim UC due to the natural migration rule? Thanks
You have come up with the right information but then come to the wrong conclusion
Legacy ESA as it is now called is a single benefit comprising of payments due to a claimants Contribution history and secondly their personal circumstances.
So if you apply for ESA(IR) by filling in this ESA3 then it would be an amendment to your existing ESA claim and not a new one so no transfer to UC.
Gordon
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