ESA claim taking a while

ltcinter

Does the following seem to be within a normal time frame for an ESA claim?

1/4 - got ill. So ill, couldn't contact DWP.

1/7 - Finally called DWP to make initial claim for ESA.

27/8 - Notified by DWP that Assessment phase has started from this date(27/8). Payment made from beginning of claim.

(backdated to 1/4 when first saw doctor but didn't get a sick note at that time).

6/11 - Still waiting for next step in the process.

Also, if ESA is eventually awarded, from what date would any components be backdated to?

rogerblack

They normally contact you around, or a little before the thirteenth week, to arrange a medical.
This would be 1/7 + 13 weeks, or about 1/11 - so they're not much behind.

Ring them to make sure the appointment letter hasn't gotten lost in the post.

If ESA is awarded, then you will get the support/WRAG components from 13 weeks after 1/4 (if you have sicknote backdated to that date) Otherwise 13 weeks after the date of claim.

ltcinter

Thanks Roger,

I make it just a little over 18 weeks. I suppose I had better call them.

Muttleythefrog

I'm still waiting to see my assessment phase beaten.. it lasted 12 months...lol.. I kept calling them and they kept saying.. 'don't worry'

ltcinter

But when did they notify you of the medical?

rogerblack

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

I'm still waiting to see my assessment phase beaten.. it lasted 12 months...lol.. I kept calling them and they kept saying.. 'don't worry'

If you've not been called for a medical in that time, I'd consider making a request for compensation for maladministration.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/financial-redress-maladministration.pdf

Muttleythefrog

rogerblack wrote: »

If you've not been called for a medical in that time, I'd consider making a request for compensation for maladministration.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/financial-redress-maladministration.pdf

To be honest it was just one of many problems... they even accidentally sent me notice that I'd failed my WCA. In the end I seem to have benefitted really..lol.. because I'm now 2.5 years into an ESA claim and have only been tested once.. I could face re-assessment shortly (18 months prognosis). They also repeatedly assured me that I needn;t worry about CTB as they'd tell my council I was awarded ESA... I even had an agent say 'I'm pressing the button now that sends an email to your local authority to tell them you've qualified for ESA.. they'll be in touch with you'. My council knew nothing and I had to retrospectively argue poor advice from DWP.

I think the only reason I got my ESA50 form sent after about 11 or so months was because in my last of 6 WFIs my advisor said 'this is all taking a long time'.. she made a call for me and said 'they say they have a big backlog but that you'll get your form soon'...same as what they'd said to me for months..lol

rogerblack

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

because I'm now 2.5 years into an ESA claim and have only been tested once.. I could face re-assessment shortly (18 months prognosis).

Were you actually on assessment rate for a year?
If not, there is no requirement in law to even send you a ESA50.
They can, if they choose, on information they already hold, award you ESA, without sending you for a medical, or without sending an ESA50.

Muttleythefrog

rogerblack wrote: »

Were you actually on assessment rate for a year?
If not, there is no requirement in law to even send you a ESA50.
They can, if they choose, on information they already hold, award you ESA, without sending you for a medical, or without sending an ESA50.

Yeah assessment rate for a year... backdated later for Support Component etc. I ended up attending all my WFIs with nothing to talk about except the weather..lol...and then of course got awarded Support Group meaning I wouldn't have had to attend them!

ltcinter

Just to update.

Got a letter from DWP today stating that

"We have looked at your claim again following a recent change.....
This is because of a change of money coming in."

This is strange as there has been no change in my finances that I can think of. I am still getting the same amount of assessment phase benefits I've been getting since April.

One thing I did notice is that compared to a letter I got from them in September they no longer mention

a) To continue to receive ESA you may need to attend a work focused interview with a personal advisor.

and

b) To continue to receive ESA you may need to attend a Work Capability Assessment. You must provide a medical certificate until a Work Capability Assessment is carried out.

Though they still say

c) Your partner may be required to take part in a Work Focussed Interview.....

Do you think there is a reason they removed these two parts?

ltcinter

Any ideas anyone?