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Times taken to process ESA applications

I am hoping to get some guidence, please, on times taken to process ESA applications. Income based version if this makes any difference?

From when you first telephone the claim how long to the medical (if one is required - which it seems usually is), then how long to the decision, then if declined how long to get through a tribunal and have that decision.

I have read though old posts and it seems to vary and can be a long process but I also understand the reduced payment is paid until after a final decision (after tribunal if it gets that far).

Comments

  • FTW
    FTW Posts: 8,682 Forumite
    pastmybest wrote: »
    I am hoping to get some guidence, please, on times taken to process ESA applications. Income based version if this makes any difference?

    From when you first telephone the claim how long to the medical (if one is required - which it seems usually is), then how long to the decision, then if declined how long to get through a tribunal and have that decision.

    I have read though old posts and it seems to vary and can be a long process but I also understand the reduced payment is paid until after a final decision (after tribunal if it gets that far).



    Yep, it varies considerably, but the below link gives some idea as to timescales.

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/b_employment_and_support_allowance.pdf

    If you have a medical, fail it, and then decide to appeal, it takes months to get to the tribunal stage.

    Mine took 8 months, the hearing got adjourned, and then a second hearing took place nearly 5 months after that.

    However, with the medical, as a means of added insurance, I can't stress enough the importance of secretly audio-recording it.

    This is in case you get an inaccurate report drawn up about you.

    If you have that recording (you don't have to tell them you're doing it, and it's best you don't!), that can be used as evidence to the Tribunal Service.

    It's also advisable to submit a written transcript of what was said on that recording - as well as all the medical evidence you can obtain from your doctors/specialists.

    It'll all need to be in at the Tribunal Service (it can all be emailed) at least 7 days before the hearing.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    FTW wrote: »
    Yep, it varies considerably, but the below link gives some idea as to timescales.

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/b_employment_and_support_allowance.pdf

    If you have a medical, fail it, and then decide to appeal, it takes months to get to the tribunal stage.

    Mine took 8 months, the hearing got adjourned, and then a second hearing took place nearly 5 months after that. However, it would be rare for such a long adjournment.

    However, with the medical, as a means of added insurance, I can't stress enough the importance of secretly audio-recording it.

    This is in case you get an inaccurate report drawn up about you.

    If you have that recording (you don't have to tell them you're doing it, but there is no reason why you should keep it a secret!), that can be used as evidence to the Tribunal Service. However, the Tribunal Service may choose not to admit it as evidence. In order to ensure that it is admissable, all you need to do is ask for a recorded medical, giving ATOS a fair amount of time to arrange it.

    It's also advisable to submit a written transcript of what was said on that recording - as well as all the medical evidence you can obtain from your doctors/specialists.

    It'll all need to be in at the Tribunal Service (it can all be emailed) at least 7 days before the hearing.

    I have corrected your post for you. :p
    Gone ... or have I?
  • FTW
    FTW Posts: 8,682 Forumite
    dmg24 wrote: »
    I have corrected your post for you. :p

    Don't bother. ;)

    First time was correct, and there's every reason to keep it a secret - Atos will refuse to continue the assessment if it's being recorded.

    As for the recording issue, Atos don't need to know that - it's not relevant to them. It's relevant to the Tribunal Service if the report's wrong.

    The Tribunal Service did admit it as evidence in my case, mainly because I'd submitted a written transcript of the whole conversation. Took ages to type up, but it was worth it in the end.:p
  • allen35
    allen35 Posts: 1,516 Forumite
    FTW wrote: »
    Don't bother. ;)

    First time was correct, and there's every reason to keep it a secret - Atos will refuse to continue the assessment if it's being recorded.

    As for the recording issue, Atos don't need to know that - it's not relevant to them. It's relevant to the Tribunal Service if the report's wrong.

    The Tribunal Service did admit it as evidence in my case, mainly because I'd submitted a written transcript of the whole conversation. Took ages to type up, but it was worth it in the end.:p

    Groundhog Day...
    Forums can be/are a good guide to entitlement and it is good practice to back it up with clarification from the relevant department/specialist with written confirmation to safeguard yourself.
  • FTW
    FTW Posts: 8,682 Forumite
    allen35 wrote: »
    Groundhog Day...

    ESA-related posts do get that way here.
  • allen35
    allen35 Posts: 1,516 Forumite
    FTW wrote: »
    ESA-related posts do get that way here.

    I mean the pending championship fight between you and DMG he he
    Forums can be/are a good guide to entitlement and it is good practice to back it up with clarification from the relevant department/specialist with written confirmation to safeguard yourself.
  • FTW
    FTW Posts: 8,682 Forumite
    allen35 wrote: »
    I mean the pending championship fight between you and DMG he he

    Hardly - I've got no personal quarrel with DMG. People disagree with each other on forums - that's the way it is.
  • pastmybest
    pastmybest Posts: 577 Forumite
    Thanks FTW and it looks like the fight fizzled out before it got started on this thread.:)
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