ESA claim processing time?

coin_operated_girl

Hi just a quick question,

I recently failed my IB assessment so was told to claim ESA whilst my IB appeal goes ahead. I sent off the claim forms on the 20th Dec. So its been almost a month and ive not heard anything back so far. I know xmas and new years has probably delayed my claim, but i was just wondering how long it takes for an ESA claim to be processed? I thought i read somewhere that it takes about a month, but im not sure where i read that, so just wanted to check whether i should be chasing my claim up or leaving it for another week or so.

Many thanks

NASA_2

If you failed your IB assessment then your fresh claim with ESA is a fresh claim within six months and doesnt go straight into payment.

Are you claiming with a new, deteriorated or the same illness as on the IB claim?

coin_operated_girl

NASA wrote: »

If you failed your IB assessment then your fresh claim with ESA is a fresh claim within six months and doesnt go straight into payment.

Are you claiming with a new, deteriorated or the same illness as on the IB claim?

Im claiming ESA on the same grounds as i was claiming IB for.

Do you know how long i could expect to have to wait before i start receiving my ESA payment (assuming they decide i am eligible)? its just that its been almost two months now since they cut off my IB (took me a month to send to ESA form off due to personal issues (so partly my fault), and now its been almost a month since i sent it off) and im really struggling with money.

Thanks

NASA_2

I think its very unlikely you will go into payment at all - consider it this way - the ESA medical is infinitely more difficult than the IB medical and you failed the IB medical. They might not even send you for an examination before disallowing you.

Note: My opinion based on my experience of such cases.

coin_operated_girl

NASA wrote: »

I think its very unlikely you will go into payment at all - consider it this way - the ESA medical is infinitely more difficult than the IB medical and you failed the IB medical. They might not even send you for an examination before disallowing you.

Note: My opinion based on my experience of such cases.

oh thats disappointing to hear. I was told by the DWP to claim ESA whilst appealing the IB decision. The CAB also told me that i would be eligible for ESA, but i would probably be put on the work related activity group whilst i am appealing. But saying that, my experience with both the DWP and the CAB is that they don't always give the most reliable advice. Thanks for your help.

coin_operated_girl

sorry if this is a stupid question, but should i not even be receiving the £51.85 a week whilst they assess my claim? It says on the direct.gov website: The assessment phase rate is paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim while a decision is made on your capability for work through the Work Capability Assessment. At the moment i'm not receiving a penny, but i don't know if thats because they are still processing my claim

NASA_2

coin_operated_girl wrote: »

oh thats disappointing to hear. I was told by the DWP to claim ESA whilst appealing the IB decision. The CAB also told me that i would be eligible for ESA, but i would probably be put on the work related activity group whilst i am appealing. But saying that, my experience with both the DWP and the CAB is that they don't always give the most reliable advice. Thanks for your help.

coin_operated_girl wrote: »

sorry if this is a stupid question, but should i not even be receiving the £51.85 a week whilst they assess my claim? It says on the direct.gov website: The assessment phase rate is paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim while a decision is made on your capability for work through the Work Capability Assessment. At the moment i'm not receiving a penny, but i don't know if thats because they are still processing my claim

Yes, the CAB do often give misleading advice, and if they told you that you would automatically received ESA while appealing the IB disallowance then that is totally incorrect and has been since 28/06/10.

If your ESA claim is accepted then you will receive the £51.85 during the assessment phase but that is only if they accept your claim.

I was under the impression you can still claim reduced rate IS during an IB appeal.

2009timeforchange

I agress with NASA - you may be able to claim income support at a reduced rate while the IB claim is under appeal.

If you are not able to do that then the chances are you will be referred for another medical examination which you need to attend and pass before ESA will go into payment.

If you fall under the 2nd circumstance then the benefit delivery centre should advise you to claim JSA in the alternative whilst you wait for an appointment from ATOS. JSA in the alternative is basically JSA under protest but it is the only way you will receive some money.

NASA_2

And if the JSA staff say you cant claim because you have a medical condition and/or a sickline tell them to read the guidance on such claims.

The DWP have stated you are fit for work and therefore JSA should accept that as much as ESA do. Having a sickline is a diagnoses of a condition and doesnt necessarily proclude work.