When Does ESA start to get paid?

bigbigmamamoo

Hi,
I have had to give up work because of ill health.
I have put in a claim for ESA over the phone, and got sent the form and they asked for a couple of documents which I sent in . I was wondering when they actually start paying it. I have received no word from them about this
Thanks

rogerblack

I applied initially over the phone on Sep 8, I'm unsure exactly when they sent me the form.
It looks like I got one payment for a few days on the 24th, and my claim was then suspended due to not getting the form back in time.
So, call it a bit more than 2 weeks.
Presumably if I'd gotten the form in in time it'd have carried on.
(However!! It takes around a week for incoming mail to percolate through the system, so you need to send your form to arrive with them a week beforehand.)

I sent the form back around November 10th, and the lump sum of the 3 months backdated assessment rate (with doctors note of that backdating) was paid then about September 12.

Key points.
Keep copies of everything you send to them.
Send it registered.
They will not usually request information from GP/... mentioned. It's important in most cases to send either along with the form, or at least shortly afterwards, letters from all health professionals you're in contact with, and anyone that knows how your disability affects you.

bigbigmamamoo

Thanks Roger,
They have never asked for anything from the GP, a have a sickline, but they specifically said in the letter asking for my birth certificate not to send anything else with it. I know they got it because they sent it back to me. I was expecting them to ask for the sickline but they didn't. I'm really confused

Cpt.Scarlet

Assuming you return the initial claim form promptly, payements usually start after week two and are backdated to day 4 of your claim.

rogerblack

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

Assuming you return the initial claim form promptly, payements usually start after week two and are backdated to day 4 of your claim.

They can be further backdated than that, if you have a medical certificate that is backdated (up to 3 months, if your condition has not changed).

bigbigmamamoo

My last day of work (I was on sick leave so not really working) was the 28th of Feb. I called the next weekday, and the dated my claim from the 1st of March. I submitted the documents they asked for within the time limit they gave me. Still not heard anything