Need some advice regarding ESA claim

AcidReign

Found the P45, so I have everything they might require.

Its 7 days today, still havent received the paper work back.

Is it possible that if I get another sick note at my appointment on the 21st, that I could go to the Library & email or fax it myself, rather than going to the Jobcentre? That way they would get it instantly & possibly avoid any breaks in payments. + I could also post the note as well if that is needed.

AcidReign

Have received the statement back today & the only thing Ive been asked to send is a sick note.

On the first page of the 'customer details' section it says "start date - 19th January 1999". Any ideas what that date is supposed to be?

rogerblack

AcidReign wrote: »

Have received the statement back today & the only thing Ive been asked to send is a sick note.

On the first page of the 'customer details' section it says "start date - 19th January 1999". Any ideas what that date is supposed to be?

When you first became ill?

AcidReign

Nope, that was about a year ago & as Ive mentioned in previous posts, I only got round to seeing the Doctor the 3rd of this month.

I was 22 in 1999 & I cant recall what I was doing at that time. Maybe they know something I dont!

epitome

You can ignore that 1999 date that happens on a lot of, if not, all claims. I don't know why it does it but it doesn't mean anything.

Don't they ask for ID like Birth Cert?

You can only email/fax sicknotes from your jobcentre, only under extreme circumstances, the BC *might* agree for your doctors office to fax it directly.

AcidReign

It must mean something. Im sure Ill need to contact them over the phone at some point (that is if Im claiming ESA for any length of time) so Ill ask anyways, just out of curiosity.

Nothing apart from the medical note was asked for.
I have been asked in the past when Ive claimed JSA to bring I.D. at the first appointment, but, they never really looked then. They took all the information they would need over the phone, & from what Ive read, a lot of sick notes disappear. If they started losing peoples birth certificates, driving licences etc, thered be a !!!! storm.

Don't see any reason why I shouldnt be allowed to send my own documents. Thats ridiculous. Their rules I suppose, & I must jump when they say of course.

Couldnt post it today, the mail never arrived till gone 3 o'clock.
Should I post it 1st class recorded with my own envelope, instead of the freepost 1 which is 2nd class mail. By rights it should arrive quicker & Ill also have proof of posting & arrival. I shall also scan & print it prior to sending, just in case Paul Daniels gets hold of it before they do.

epitome

Fine, if you post it, but just don't expect them to get it for up to 8 days - no matter what method of postage you use. Then a further 3 working days to get payment.

You can't fax it yourself because they need to see the original, not your facsimile which could have been altered by you.

You should post it recorded (so you can make them find it if they say they did not get it), you can "Recorded D" the second class envelope they provide, just ask in the PO to add a RD onto it.

AcidReign

Ahh, ok. So really I might aswell just send it as theyve requested if it wont make much difference.

I was thinking ahead for the 21st to avoid any future delays. Coz if its gunna take up to 8 days if I send a new note then, !!!! knows when itll arrive over the Christmas/New Year period.

If going to the Jobcentre to send is my only option, Id rather a delay to be honest.

AcidReign

Thanks Epitome.

Ill send it off & wait & see what happens.


Ill write again when I get any news.

AcidReign

Just took a call from the Benefit Centre saying the claim is being finalised & to expect details in the post about payment. Might be in luck for before Christmas, but Im a pessimist..so I wont hold my breath.

I asked about my sick note that runs out on the 21st, & the woman I spoke to advised me to ask for another earlier if I could & to fax it from the Jobcentre. She said there may be a run on with the claim to cover me, but that was the best option.

The receptionists are not the most helpful & make you feel like youre bothering them when you call. Not sure whether to try & get an earlier appointment with the Doctor (possibly Monday or Tuesday). It would take a weight off my mind knowing things were in order with them, at least for the next few weeks or so.