Can an ESA claimant opt for credits-only claim instead of being paid ESA?

A claimant affected by the Benefit Cap wants to withdraw their ESA claim.
(yes I know this is a bit of a pointless exercise!)

Doing this would have all sorts of knock-on implications especially if it’s IR-ESA.

But would they instead be able to ask not to be paid but stay on as a credits only case?

Alternatively could they withdraw altogether from ESA, continue to submit sick notes to the Local Authority and be paid the disability premium in their HB assuming they’ve been unfit for work over a year?

Technically can’t see a reason why not but apart from issues of notional income it doesn’t sound right????