ESA backdated payments correct?

confused1010

Could somebody please give me some advice as to whether I have received the correct backdated ESA
payments, as I was told they would be backdated to when they were stopped but this it seems is not the case.
The following dates and info will hopefully give someone a guide as I have no idea.
July 2011 signed off as unable to continue working (I was self employed)
Oct 2011 Esa payments awarded and backdated to July 2011
April 2012 Medical assessment, failed so appealed
May 2012 Esa payments stopped as failed the medical assessment
June 2012 Esa payments resume whilst awaiting tribunal
July 2012 Esa payments stopped as I had reached the maximum 365 days contribution-based allowance
Dec 2012 Disability living allowance applied for on advice from Citizens Advice Bureau
Feb 2013 Tribunal Hearing, won and was put in work related activity group
Mar 2013 Disability living allowance not awarded
June 2013 Esa payments awarded and back dated to April 2013 based on tax years 2009/10
I am very confused with it all and as I have been living off of a credit card (thinking I would be able to pay it
back with backdated ESA payments) and a generous family I am now panicking, so if anyone can advise me I
would be grateful. Thks.

epitome

Do you have savings of more than £6000
Do you have a partner?
What does your partner do?
In other words why did you not apply for ESA IR in July 2012?
(apart from your recent arrears payment) You've received no payments on ESA since July 2012?

Based on what you have written so far and assuming I have it right, you should have received arrears from October 2011 - April 2012 at £26.75 per week and from April 2012 - July 2012 at £28.15 per week.. You will receive nothing after July 2012 unless you are entitled to ESA IR.

confused1010

no savings, no partner, have been self employed all my working life so lived in a little bubble as far as what's out there I think,
I was paid Esa from Oct 2011 until it was stopped permanently in July 2012, I wasn't told about Esa/IR as a choice or anything about it just presumed I had to fend for myself until the tribunal, I live with family so just thought I wasn't entitled anymore! I was either bit thick or naïve about it all. Have learnt now but all a bit too late!!

epitome

Not too late, ............

Get an ESA3 from Jobcentre return it to your ESA benefit centre recorded delivery (£1) include a covering letter to explain how you have been supporting yourself for the last year... they will want to know how you supported yourself without any money, so as to work out if they can backdate ESA IR to July 2012.... and to explain that you did not know there was an option to claim ESA IR on an ESA3 form until someone told you when you questioned why you had not been paid upon winning your appeal. And that you are claiming ESA IR backdated to when your ESA C ran out.
If possible, also send bank satements going back a year.


If you had asked on here in July 2012 we could have told you this.

confused1010

That's great thank you I will do that straight away, and yes I wish I had known about you a long time ago, I have a friend I need to thank for telling me about you.
Thanks again for your help.