ESA Rate Dates

Good morning everyone,
I have just this morning received my letter from DWP advising of my rate of New Style ESA due to the inflation increase from April.

However, the letter stated that the rates were applicable from 12 April 2025 to 28 November 2025!

November? 8 months? Isn’t it usually the following March/April?

Perhaps I am reading something into this that is not really there, but it did make me think if this date was indicative of possible changes to come…..

I believe it's worded like that as the next payment just inside December includes the Christmas bonus so is 10 pounds more. I may be wrong, just trying to throw light on it.

Hi UC,

I seem to remember this has come up previously from other forum members and the possible explanation was that its to do with the Christmas bonus being paid, usually the first week of December.

I may be incorrect of course, perhaps someone else will be able to confirm or advise but its what came to mind when I read your post.

Gaddy

Thanks guys!
That does make sense factoring in the date of the Christmas bonus!

my uprating letter for the next year is dated to November, has been as far I can remember been that way, never been assessed in November to the best of my memory