JSA to ESA - normal procedure?

rainbowdiamond

Hi,

I have a sick note for 4 weeks from my doc and was advised that I needed to swap from JSA which I've been on for four months to ESA. I made a claim on 05/10 and the DWP wrote to me by letter dated 07/10 requesting evidence for my claim, i.e. the sick note. I posted it to them by first class post on 11/10. The JSA claim was shut down (the signing on book was sent by first class post to my job centre) on 06/10.

I received a letter from my local Council on 15/10 stating that my Council Tax benefit had been suspended and that I needed to bring in my claim letter 'immediately' to continue to claim CT benefit. I thought I would give the DWP until yesterday 20/10 to call to find out what is happening as if I hadn't transferred from JSA to ESA I would be 'paid' this friday. The lady I spoke to said it was still a 'new claim' and would be processed 'hopefully' by 26/10. I am so worried about all of this especially as I am due to have a med assisted detox week beginning 01/11.

Is this all normal procedure and should I receive the money back-dated next week?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlotte

Hammyman

Med assisted detox week? Bet you're looking forward to that. Hope it does the trick for you BTW

Keep badgering them. You should receive the backdated money with your first payment.

Good luck for 01/11.

jellybaby1969

There is a 14 day target on ESA claims... the fact that you are going from JSA - ESA should make it very straight fwd unless there is other income / property / pensions or you have been / lived abroad. In reality it should take only a couple of days.