irESA only to UC migration triggers unexpected automatic new style cbESA claim

Hi, all,

I see others are posting with similar experiences. I can add a couple of details, which is why I am posting separately.

Briefly, I have written to my MP with the B&W problems document link and quotation. My MP is writing to the Secretary of State about this issue. Additionally, I have cancelled the ns-cbESA claim that started automatically as CAB went through my personal case and we could find no valid reason to continue the claim in my circumstances (yours may differ); and they advised cancellation must not prejudice my UC claim or LCWRA status due to prior irESA support group status.

CAB advisors seem at a loss to explain why the cbESA entitlement. UC agents don't seem to see anything out of the ordinary. Nothing in B&W, CAB or multiple charity websites mention this entitlement until the B&W document linked below.

I'll let you know how the MP's enquiry goes and the outcome in my case of cancelling the ns-cbESA claim.

Scenario.
This appears to be an instance of "problem 3: mysterious entitlement to cbESA" in this B&W document, but with an additional automatic trigger of ns-cbESA and then reassessment of UC: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/?dlp=6891c5610376b

History.

• Having originally claimed Incapacity Benefit around 2006/7, I was moved to old-style cbESA.
• In 2015 the cbESA ran out and I had to claim irESA.
• Probably in 2019 I was moved to the support group of irESA. My documentation has never referred to cbESA at any time that I recall and certainly it was not mentioned in my most recent irESA letter as of February 2025.
• in April 2025 I received the migration letter.
• With phone support from CAB UC Migration helpline, I completed the online UC migration form, beginning the process of migration from old-style irESA to UC.
• I then received a journal notice that I was eligible for cbESA. It did not say a claim would automatically be triggered. I phoned the CAB UC migration helpline and they seemed unable to explain why this happened, and did not suggest a claim could be triggered automatically.
• I then received a journal notice of a pending new claimant agreement phone call scheduled for the end of August.
• Two letters then arrived that indicated this was because of "my claim" for new style ESA and a reassessment of UC. It implied, but did not clearly state, that the phone "assessment" would be a telephone claim process for nsESA.
• I made two phone calls to the CAB UC Migration Helpline and neither advisor, one of whom had 40 years prior experience in the civil service including managing benefits, could explain why this was happening. We worked out there was no advantage in my case to claiming nsESA and that there would be no prejudice of my UC claim or LCWRA status if I cancel the nsESA claim.
• I found the B&W document attached above and passed the salient quotes and link to my MP, who immediately wrote back that he will write to the Secretary of State.
• I began the process of cancelling "my" claim for ns-cbESA.

I am concerned the change of circumstances and reassessment of UC may still stand, despite what CAB advised.

Kind regards,
Ian