Transfer to UC

Similar happened to me and I'll answer Lynz to help. In my case I'd alerted the DWP that my partner was due his SP in Oct 2023. No word from the DWP on what's would happen and then on his 66th birthday we were called by a LA housing "Compliance" officer to tell us HB stopped immediately and to get a claim for UC going immediately. I didn't expect this as unwell and back and forth to hospital. So Lynz may be kicked off ESA as I was - not due my SP until late 2026.

Happened to us, my partner was due SP last year in Oct 2023. So I phoned the DWP to alert them to this "change of circumstance" in July 2023. I was told they'd be in touch but heard nothing until my partners 66th birthday - whereupon we were phoned by a LA housing compliance officer and told HB stopped immediately and to claim UC immediately. We lost a weeks worth of rent due to the change over to SP and UC and had to find some rent money ourselves - we anticipate further charges due to UC not covering every month.

I hope, as David says here, the DWP/LA or HA allow your mixed couple claim to continue with ESA but be prepared to claim UC on line. Even when your partner has his pension he'll still need to be part of your UC claim if that is pushed on you. What you can do to avoid the strain I had last year is to use the Citizens Advice to guide your claim now - we were given no help and advice to prepare for this so go straight to the CAB to manage your change of circumstances in light of the new push for everyone to be on UC. I didn't get a migration letter.

There is also a directive you can use which states that you don't need to show "fit notes" at the JC once the change to UC comes - I wasn't aware of this directive so went through some unnecessary strain. But I was in the support group on ESA and had SDP - now I don't have that amount - it's considerably less on UC. David here will have more appropriate advice as an admin mod here - he'll know the dwp directives as an ex CAB worker, ironically I was a JC officer once, not my happiest job but it showed me the slight of hand that operates in public services. Always be prepared for any eventuality is the best advice. Here you'll find the right guides to explain and the mods to expand on strategies for the best outcome.

Hi David, my apologies for the late reply, but I have been unwell. I think the DWP make it all so complicated with no straight forward answers. I have written our local council HB as you previously advised and will keep a check on that regarding a reply and then contact the DWP about our change of circumstances that will happen regarding my husbands pension. I also read about the DWP contacting everyone in September with regards to an extra payment to help with winter payments food etc, this was in addition to any cold weather payment and the winter fuel payment but we didn't receive a letter do you think I should I just wait for it or contact them?