The Department for Work and Pensions is set to scrap one benefit – with plans to visit thousands of claimants’ homes to inform them.
Under the managed migration scheme, those claiming Employment and Support Allowance will be transitioned to Universal Credit. After receiving a Migration Notice, claimants typically have three months to submit their application from the date of the letter, after which payments cease.
However, the DWP has assured that it will not terminate ESA without making further attempts to contact claimants. The DWP Visiting Team will reach out to schedule a visit and provide details on what to expect, including how to get in touch with them. A confirmation letter will be sent out, but if the visit is scheduled at short notice, it may occur before the letter arrives.
If the visit is to take place at your home and you’ve provided a mobile number, the team will also confirm the booking via text message. Prior to the visit, the DWP Visiting Team will provide information about the date and time of the visit – which can be rescheduled if necessary.
They will also inform you of the location of the visit, how to contact the Visiting Team, who will be visiting you – providing the visiting officer’s name, what identification documents you’ll need to present before the visit can commence, and security and safety measures for the visit.
They will also guide you on what information you need to provide to the DWP about your income, savings and health, reports Birmingham Live. The duration of these support visits can vary, and it’s not possible to predict how long each visit will take.
If you have any queries, you can contact the DWP Visiting Team prior to the visit. The DWP clarifies: “The visiting officer will present their photo identity card upon arrival. You can then verify if the visiting officer named in the letter you received about the visit is the same person.
“If you are unable to check their photo identity card (for example, due to a visual impairment), you can agree on a password for the visiting officer to use when they arrive. This needs to be arranged before the visit by contacting the DWP Visiting Team.
“You can also confirm their identity by calling the number provided in the letter or text message, and providing the visiting officer’s name.”
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