Just seen this news report courtesy of the Benefits and Work website: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3803-warnings-grow-over-esa-to-uc-migration

Being on ESA myself, I was hoping to be managed onto UC rather than making a new claim, but with Brexit looming and the fear that the Tories will still be running the country next year, it`s worrying. It`s sickening that such a system is still cracked at the edges for those already ON it, never mind those who will struggle to navigate it or survive it.

no doubt when the esa claims are closed down the dwp will as usual inform the claimants local council of a change in circumstances who will then issue a full council tax bill demand
also many local councils class u/c housing element as income so if you are unlucky enough to live in one of these areas expect to pay much more council tax

I`m going through an ESA re-assessment just now (just preparing to send my form back shortly) and fully expect all the shinanigans to start. Have to attend a face to face assessment - found fit for work- money stops - I ask for a mandatory reconsideration - That`s fails - On to appeal. This happened the last time and the moment your money is stopped, that`s when we need to get onto our council fast because housing benefit stops and the arrears letters start to arrive.

I fully intend to appeal any attempt to remove my ESA because I`m fully justified in staying in the WRAG group, but we all know that`s not how these people think. Universal Credit is not something I could deal with if I wasn`t on ESA due to the conditionality factors. So that alone means I have to fight all the way.