Extra statutory scheme entitles people to transfer their claims between GB and NI without going through WCA again

Through a number of cases last year and this year, the Law Centre had convinced the Agency to introduce an extra statutory scheme allowing claims of ESA, which allows people to transfer their claims without having to go through the Work Capability Assessment again. This scheme applies to both contributions based and income related ESA.

We represented a woman who had moved from Britain to Northern Ireland. The Social Security Agency asked her to make a fresh claim of income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). We contacted the ESA manager, asking for our client to be included under the extra statutory scheme. We received a confirmation letter that this had been resolved, the client was paid over £600 of arrears and the Work Capability Assessment appointment was cancelled.

Advisers with queries on this scheme are encouraged to contact our social security advice line:

Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 1pm

9024 4401 or 7126 2433