esa havnt got a clue

fatherofseven

i have always had back problems i am now into my 4th month off with drs certificate with 5 mnths left to go on the certificate( i am on job seekers ) and 52 yrs old someone told me my benefit would go up after 13 weeks but ive come onto here and hearing quite a few horror stories i havnt heard anything about going to see a specialist dr or anything does anyone know what happens now after 16 weeks on esa sorry im not very good at writing down stuff thanks tim

pmlindyloo

Am a bit confused - sorry- are you on JSA or ESA?

fatherofseven

i was on jsa but have been on esa since 20th of december 2011. 16 weeks.

jayk

Well I went onto ESA in Jan this year and 2 weeks later was sent forms for med exam ( have ATOS med exam this week) my cert runs till May. So they did not delay at all. Mine is contribution based. I am worried as still not well and very anxious about exam. Prior to ESA was on JSA from Dec 11 ( prior to that had always worked full time). If they take me off ESA will I still get benefit until well enough to get work.

I am sure they will contact you soon enough. Maby varies from area to area.

HB58

My ESA claim started in October and I sent my ESA50 in very early on. After that I didn't hear from DWP until April, to give me the date for my 'medical'*. I had a decision 2 weeks later. The assessment period is 'supposed' to take 13 weeks but it is very much longer than this in many areas. When a decision is made, the payment will be backdated to the 1st day of the 14th week (as long as you are awarded ESA).

You can always ring them to ask how things are progressing.

* Don't expect to see a 'specialist doctor'. The assessment can be carried out by a retired doctor, nurse,midwife or physiotherapist - they seem to be randomly allocated.

HB58

Sorry jayk, I overlooked your question somehow! If you are denied ESA you can appeal the decision or re-claim JSA - the money will be the same whichever you decide.

Muttleythefrog

Yeah Op... almost certainly you're just getting caught up in delays... and almost certainly when they decide to assess you you will first get an ESA50 form through the post from the ATOS Healthcare centre nearest you. Unfortunately until then you'll have to keep sending i nthe sicknotes. They will backdate to start week 14 any additional monies you would have gotten if you later pass the WCA and get into WRAG or Support Group.

fatherofseven

thanks muttley that explains the answer i was looking for thanks everyone i will just keep on waiting lol :T