UPDATED: Sorry ... another ESA question

kit

UPDATED - please see bottom of the thread

Hi all.
I applied for ESA on 1st July due to quitting my job after being off sick for 6 months and, after talking with my doctor, deciding it would be better for me to quit to avoid me stressing about letting them down / pressure to go back (pressure from me, not from my employers).

I have provided them with everything they asked for as soon as they asked for it. They first asked for a current sick note, so I sent them all of my sick notes for the past 6 months. Then they asked for past 3 months wage slips which I posted to them on the day they requested them.

On 4th August I received a letter saying that I would get ESA from 22nd July (due to run on of working tax credit) and that I would get £67.50 per week plus £55.30 per week because I am 'severely disabled'. On the same day I received a medical questionnaire to fill in and return to Atos which I did.

On 1st September I phoned them because I had received no payments. I was told they had received everything they needed so they didnt know why payment had not been issued. They said someone would phone me back the next day. So, next day someone rings and says that they received my wage slips at the beginning of August so they didnt know why payments had not been made..... he said that he would get it looked at either that day or the following Monday.
Over a week later, still no payment so I called again yesterday. At first they tried to tell me that they only received my wage slips on 5th September, I explained that was not true as someone else had confirmed that they received them early August..... so he then changed his mind and said they were logged as received in August but also logged as received on 5th September. Another 'someone will call you back later'.... which they did.... they said that they would ask the new claims team to process my application within the next 48 hours. :mad:

So now I really have no idea what is going on. The letter on 4th August suggests that I will get the ESA with the extra premium without any further tests.... but then why the medical form? Also the letter didnt mention which 'group' of ESA I was put in.

Can anyone explain what is going on?!

Muttleythefrog

Must admit this seems confusing. The £55.30 is severe disability premium... this isn't qualified for by ESA as far as I understand... but must be being added because of another qualifying benefit award?

You've obviously filled in your ESA50 and returned to ATOS... this means your Work Capability assessment has at least begun. Usually fairly soon after returning that you would be requested to attend medical if they felt one was necessary for evidence purposes. It sounds to me like a decision has not yet been made on your ESA entitlement regarding the main phase of the benefit. The main phase starts 3 months after claim starts (although for decision purposes this is approximate).

Administration of ESA is shockingly poor to the degree you can assume even critical communications are either wrong or not sent. Hopefully someone here will have a better grasp of your whole situation, otherwise unfortunately you'll have to keep communicating with them and hoping someone makes something happen. I'd advise watching you bank account closely as often that might indicate what is happening... or at least what the DWP are thinking. All you can do is make sure you're covered by sicknotes for the assessment phase and keep harassing them.

If you get stuck maybe contact Welfare rights or CAB and try get appointment. Contacting MP may help too. If you speak to DWP on phone again regarding this might be worth mentioning your MP is your next call if no success.

NASA_2

The letter on the 4th of August didnt suggest that ou would receive money without any further tests - at least not from the info you gave. Pretty much everyone has to go to a face to face interview/assessment.

As for why your claim has been suspended, no idea, the only people that can answer that are the processing teams and you will have to wait for them to get back to you. Either that or get your MP involved.

kit

I presumed it meant I didnt need any further assessments as I was under the impression that you didnt get awarded extra for severe disability unless you had been assessed fully as not fit for work. I thought you only got the basic amount until full assessment has been made, is that not the case?

NASA_2

kit wrote: »

I presumed it meant I didnt need any further assessments as I was under the impression that you didnt get awarded extra for severe disability unless you had been assessed fully as not fit for work. I thought you only got the basic amount until full assessment has been made, is that not the case?

No, you get your personal allowance plus premiums at any stage during the claim, you only get the Work Related or Support group components after the WCA though.

The lack of payment will probably be something to do with the payslips but the telephony operator will have next to nothing to go on and that is why they have to pass it on for a call back from a processor.

kit

Finally they have sorted it so I will get backdated pay this Friday. Now I wait for the medical.

dave030445

sorry for butting in but the extra ESA you get for being severely disabled how does that work do you need to be on DLA to get it or what.

Muttleythefrog

dave030445 wrote: »

sorry for butting in but the extra ESA you get for being severely disabled how does that work do you need to be on DLA to get it or what.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/OtherBenefitsAndSupport/DG_068683

The page seems slightly out of date for Enhanced Dis Premium as that can be gotten via IR ESA Support Group now too but yes I thought for Severe Dis Premium you needed MRC or HRC of DLA.

kit

I have no idea how I got it, they just gave it to me. I am on DLA; middle rate care and low rate mobility.

Muttleythefrog

kit wrote: »

I have no idea how I got it, they just gave it to me. I am on DLA; middle rate care and low rate mobility.

Must be because of the MRC. If after the WCA you get ESA Support Grp or if in future you were to get HRC of DLA then you might also get Enhanced Dis Premium... although it is much less than Severe Dis Premium.

This'll be what has confused you.. they've said you're entitled to that SDP without needing medical.. or similar language... but rather than that being an indication of a decision on your ESA is was probably just a confirmation of paying you a premium you'd qualified for based on DLA award and that can now be added to your ESA payments. I would expect you to be contacted quite soon regarding face to face medical if one is deemed necessary.. otherwise watch the bank account for changes in payments..lol.

kit

Just thought I would update you re my claim.

Got a letter today saying I have been put in the support group. I haven't had a health assessment so a decision must of been made based on my application and doctors letter.

I now get:
Living expenses
Extra because of being Severely Disabled
Extra due to Disability Income Guarantee
Extra because of being in Support Group

I feel like a weight has been lifted; I was so worried about the assessment. Strangely enough I was talking to my doctor about it this morning and he was assuring me I have nothing to worry about as anyone could see I was unfit for work.

So people, stay positive; sometime ESA works and the right people get the right assessment.