Quick questions re; ESA

oldestrocker

toddles* wrote: »

Not sure if this is the best way but just completed it online - took a whole 10 mins. But got a reference number and also got to properly explain my condition in my own words. it says someone is going to call me back tomrrow to discuss the details. so at least I have the basics online.

Hi the last I heard a week or so ago, the system was down and people were having difficulty in making an on line claim.

They said they would ring you to discuss your claim - you are one very lucky individual. I thought that the ESA centres weren't allowed to make outgoing calls!! Well from my experience they never ring me back!!!!!!!

NASA_2

Like I said - the date of illness is irrelevant.

ESA(Y) is for people under 25 who havent had the chance to build up a National Insurance record and would otherwise not be entitled. Mostly people who have had lifelong conditions are the ones that claim it.

When you rang them all you had to say was that you didnt receive IIDB payments. They can easily verify that one way or the other because it is paid by DWP itself. You delayed your own payments if you requested they stop the original claim.

Just one further note about the date of birth thing - the person taking the claim doesnt have the ability to change a date of birth - this can only be done by certain people with the appropriate authority to do so. The date of birth 'pulls through' from a central system.

oldestrocker

NASA wrote: »

Like I said - the date of illness is irrelevant.

ESA(Y) is for people under 25 who havent had the chance to build up a National Insurance record and would otherwise not be entitled. Mostly people who have had lifelong conditions are the ones that claim it.

When you rang them all you had to say was that you didnt receive IIDB payments. They can easily verify that one way or the other because it is paid by DWP itself. You delayed your own payments if you requested they stop the original claim.

Just one further note about the date of birth thing - the person taking the claim doesnt have the ability to change a date of birth - this can only be done by certain people with the appropriate authority to do so. The date of birth 'pulls through' from a central system.

Hi thanks for that. Well past 25 now so it doesn't affect me thank God!!

Yes I pointed out to the BDC that the form was so wrong in many ways that I couldn't confirm that the info on it was correct. It felt fraudulent to me.

I told them that to be safe I had better fill in another claim form showing all of the correct details as I didn't wish to find that somewhere down the line I would end up being prosecuted for falsely describing my circumstances and details.

I thought I was being genuine and honest about it all, not thinking that I should have played dumb so that I didn't suffer the long delay.
It does teach you not to be that honest!

speedfreek1000

toddles* wrote: »

Not sure if this is the best way but just completed it online - took a whole 10 mins. But got a reference number and also got to properly explain my condition in my own words. it says someone is going to call me back tomrrow to discuss the details. so at least I have the basics online.

No you did fine :money:

There is no correct way and the preferred (by DWP) way may not be suitable for you.

Just remember if you take the call and feel intimidated or out of control you can terminate the call at any time. :T

Just say please send me it to me in writing and put the phone down :j

There is no law or regulation stating you have to do anything on the phone! If it's not easier, convent or practical for you then so be it!

NASA_2

While the above is perfectly true - in most scenarios the phone is the quickest way of getting things done.

The 'transaction' is instant rather than delayed by having to write to someone and waiting for a response. Depending on Royal Mail it can take upto a week to get an answer to a written letter and that is if people reply straight away. Not to mention plenty of mail gets lost before it gets to the relevant office and that it can get lost once it is in the office.

Unless someone experiences severe anxiety using the phone they should be open to talking to staff that way.

speedfreek1000

NASA wrote: »

Unless someone experiences severe anxiety using the phone they should be open to talking to staff that way.

Why?

Benefits are complex and most if not all applying do not understand how they work.

Will they have a check list or be told if a claimant has a disability (or basically anybody) which precludes them from being compos mentis enough to respond what's being explained to them in a telephone call?

As for the fact these calls will need to be recorded and sorted somewhere in a digital format! How much extra will that cost the DWP in computer backup data storage long term?

NASA_2

The DWP already record all the phone calls for ESA (And I assume most other benefits).

There is no additional cost to what it is already costing now.

Anyway, you seem to misunderstand my point, I am saying that those who are capable should use the phone. Its quicker. In some cases there is no alternative than to write but lots of things can be sorted by phone.

speedfreek1000

I think you're right NASA! I seam to have gone off on a tangent.

For everyday things as you say I agree phones are fine and quicker as you say.

It's the new explaining appeals/decisions aspect being introduced which is my bug bear.

cit_k

NASA wrote: »

You wasted your time filling in another ESA1.

Why?

Do they just ignore it?

cit_k

NASA wrote: »

The DWP already record all the phone calls for ESA (And I assume most other benefits).

There is no additional cost to what it is already costing now.

Anyway, you seem to misunderstand my point, I am saying that those who are capable should use the phone. Its quicker. In some cases there is no alternative than to write but lots of things can be sorted by phone.

Any idea how long they store them (the recordings)?