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ESA application

Totally exhausted - have just spent a couple of hours with OH trying to complete that massive form:eek:

From reading threads on here I doubt if he will be given ESA, sounds a very tough thing to get (think someone on here said 9 out of 10 applications fail), so not feeling very confident.

How long does it take from submitting the form until you hear something?

Thanks
Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:

«1

Comments

  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    Are you referring to the ESA50 form?

    The person that quoted 9 out of 10 people not passing the WCA was incorrect. The correct figures were linked to in the same thread.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • melbury
    melbury Posts: 13,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    dmg24 wrote: »
    Are you referring to the ESA50 form?

    The person that quoted 9 out of 10 people not passing the WCA was incorrect. The correct figures were linked to in the same thread.

    Yes I am referring to the ESA50 form. Do you know how long it takes to hear from them after returning this form? Do they always call you in for a medical assessment?
    Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:

  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    It really varies according to area, the claimant's condition, the information given on the form etc. Some people get invited to a medical within a week, some do not hear anything for a few months, and some will not hear anything until they receive a letter saying which group they have been placed in (not everyone gets called for a medical).

    Have you submitted medical reports?

    Send it back Recorded Delivery, and give them a call at the end of the week to confirm they have received it.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • melbury
    melbury Posts: 13,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    dmg24 wrote: »
    It really varies according to area, the claimant's condition, the information given on the form etc. Some people get invited to a medical within a week, some do not hear anything for a few months, and some will not hear anything until they receive a letter saying which group they have been placed in (not everyone gets called for a medical).

    Have you submitted medical reports?

    Send it back Recorded Delivery, and give them a call at the end of the week to confirm they have received it.

    It states on the form that nothing must be sent with it, just the form on its own.

    It certainly sounds like there is a lot of regional variation. I suppose it is best to just anticipate rejection.
    Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:

  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    I would not go down the route of anticipating rejection, that could lead to several very miserable months of waiting!

    You can submit medical reports with your application, or you can send them separately. It would be a great help to your claim if you submitted them. You will be less likely to be called for a medical if you do.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • cit_k
    cit_k Posts: 24,812 Forumite
    Expect them to completely ignore what you went to great effort to put on the form, then call you in for a medical regardless of whether one is required or not.

    Then, hope you are given a fair assessment.. And are not one of the many who find the assessor ignores evidence/lies/manipulates evidence....

    Good luck, but dont expect fair treatment, at least that way you wont be disapointed, and if it all does go well, it will be a pleasant suprise.
    [greenhighlight]but it matters when the most senior politician in the land is happy to use language and examples that are simply not true.
    [/greenhighlight][redtitle]
    The impact of this is to stigmatise people on benefits,
    and we should be deeply worried about that
    [/redtitle](house of lords debate, talking about Cameron)
  • cit_k
    cit_k Posts: 24,812 Forumite
    ps, if you can get supporting evidence from your GP or whoever, send that to the DWP also, AND take it to your medical and present it to the assessor (as they dont bother to obtain medical evidence in 87 percent of all previous IB claims, so dont expect them to do so with ESA unless your lucky)
    [greenhighlight]but it matters when the most senior politician in the land is happy to use language and examples that are simply not true.
    [/greenhighlight][redtitle]
    The impact of this is to stigmatise people on benefits,
    and we should be deeply worried about that
    [/redtitle](house of lords debate, talking about Cameron)
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    edited 8 May 2010 at 6:04PM
    Also, don't rush to send the ESA 50 form in. You have six weeks and they will send a reminder after four. Make sure it gets there in time and get at least a certificate of posting (free) or pay for Recorded delivery.

    You are 90% certain to be called to one of the so called medicals. You will get a letter asking you to contact ATOS to arrange a date. If you ignore this they will send you an appointment. You can phone up and change this once if you have a reason. All this will delay the process by a couple of months!

    If you pass the medical the extra money is backdated to week 13. If you fail, as most do, at least you have had an extra couple of months money before you start the appeal process.
  • Quiet_Life
    Quiet_Life Posts: 2,498 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Photocopy it before you send it off. Not everyone is sent for a medical.
    In giving
    you are throwing a bridge
    across the chasm of your solitude.
    The Wisdom of the Sands. Antoine de Saint-Exupery
  • cit_k
    cit_k Posts: 24,812 Forumite
    Also confirm with them they have received it. They have a habit of losing applications.
    [greenhighlight]but it matters when the most senior politician in the land is happy to use language and examples that are simply not true.
    [/greenhighlight][redtitle]
    The impact of this is to stigmatise people on benefits,
    and we should be deeply worried about that
    [/redtitle](house of lords debate, talking about Cameron)
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