{"id":112189,"date":"2025-08-25T10:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T09:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=112189"},"modified":"2025-08-25T10:34:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T09:34:46","slug":"dwp-to-end-esa-next-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/dwp-to-end-esa-next-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"DWP to End ESA Next Spring, Claimants to Transition to Universal Credit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP<\/strong>) is set to phase out the income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA<\/strong>) by next spring, with claimants to be moved to Universal Credit (UC<\/strong>). This major shift will affect thousands of individuals receiving ESA, transitioning them to the UC Health Element as part of a broader welfare reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This change, which will be implemented by 2026<\/strong>, is designed to simplify the welfare system. However, concerns about the financial impact on claimants, particularly those with disabilities, have been raised by lawmakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transitioning ESA Claimants to Universal Credit Health Element<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The transition of ESA claimants to Universal Credit<\/a> is set to be completed by March 2026<\/strong>, with individuals currently receiving income-related ESA moved to the UC Health Element. This is a central part of the government’s ongoing welfare reform, which aims to streamline benefits and ensure a more unified system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sir Stephen Timms<\/a>, the Labour Party\u2019s Minister for Social Security and Disability, confirmed that the migration <\/strong>would align with changes made to Universal Credit. In a statement, Timms outlined that ESA claimants will transition to the Health Element of UC, which includes a dedicated health support component. This change has been prompted by the desire to simplify the system while providing continued support for those unable to work due to illness or disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the move has the potential to offer greater simplicity for claimants, it also raises concerns about potential financial consequences for some individuals. Specifically, ESA claimants with higher disability premiums<\/strong> may see their support reduced as they move onto the new system. According to Timms, the DWP plans to protect these individuals by mirroring the changes made to ESA rates when transitioning to UC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns Over Potential Income Reductions for Disabled Claimants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Labour MP Amanda Martin<\/a> has expressed concern about how the proposed changes could impact disabled claimants who are already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and legacy work-related benefits. She questioned whether individuals would be treated as new claimants under the new system, risking a reduction in their income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Timms reassured that efforts would be made to safeguard claimants during the migration. He noted that the DWP would aim to reflect the changes made to Universal Credit rates, including those affecting the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA<\/strong>) group. These adjustments, he said, would ensure that ESA claimants are not unfairly penalised by the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, critics have warned that despite these safeguards, vulnerable groups may still face challenges as the migration process continues over the next several years. The DWP has indicated that it will aim for a smooth transition, but concerns remain about how claimants will fare financially during the move to Universal Credit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Next spring, the DWP will begin phasing out income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), with claimants moved to Universal Credit. The transition, expected to be completed by 2026, could impact thousands of disabled claimants. Concerns have been raised over potential income reductions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":112191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-welfare","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112189"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112192,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112189\/revisions\/112192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}