Strange ESA payment

dodgydave69

I've just checked my bank account & an unexpected ESA payment of £225 has been paid this morning. However I was only paid my ESA last Tuesday and i just get the standard £200. Has anyone else been paid their ESA today and is it an error by someone at the DWP. I'll ring them I'm the morning if it's just me.

Morglin

Mine's been normal, although sometimes they can change payment cycles.

Could it be money they owed you from something they underpaid?

I'd give them a ring, and ask what it's for - it might be good news!

Lin

sammyjammy

Sounds like the addition of a cold weather payment although my understanding is that is paid seperately, did it go through into your bank account as one sum of £225?

dodgydave69

Yeah it went through as one payment. Doesn't seem as though anyone else has had an unexpected payment. I'll wait to see if the postman brings an accompanying letter then give the DWP a call. Can't see the DWP giving free money away though. :j

richard9991

sammyjammy wrote: »

Sounds like the addition of a cold weather payment although my understanding is that is paid seperately, did it go through into your bank account as one sum of £225?

A cold weather payment is £25 not £225 so not CWP

dodgydave69

Mystery solved. Postman has been & there was a letter from the DWP. Inexplicably i've been moved from ESA WRAG to the Support Group and the £225 is the arrears for the extra money backdated. Can't believe i've made the Support Group as i thought i'd struggle to have my ESA renewed at all. Thanks for all the replies. :beer:

Morglin

Well done - enjoy the back pay!

Lin

nannytone_2

op, THEY DID THE SAME TO ME ALMOST A MONTH AGO.
WASNT DUE FOR REASSESSMENT UNTIL JUNE.
I RECEIVED A HOUSING BENEFIT LETTER STATING 'CHANGE OF INCOME AS YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED esa SUPPORT COMPONANT'
I PHONES esa AND THEY SAID YES, THEY HAD REVIEWED ME AND PUT ME IN THE SUPPORT GROUP.

STILL NO LETTER THOUGH ......

dodgydave69

One thing that slightly puzzles me though is that there is no date on the back for a future assessment like there was on the WRAG letters. For peace of mind i may ring up and ask them but then again i've read that the DWP reassess whenever they want anyway and disregard these dates. At least i *shouldn't* have to endure any more Work Program interviews after the next one.

nannytone_2

over the past 2 1/2 years i have been assessed twice for ESA.
neither times has the letter stated that my award was to be reviewed at any certain time.
if you ask for a statement of reason, the prognosis will be on that.
you can also phone and they will be able to tell you.

i havent even officially been told i am in the support group ... let alone how long for

Morglin

The suggested review time, and reason for the award decision is shown on the ESA85 form (if done by face to face medical), or an ESA85a form (if no medical).

Phone or write to the JCP office dealing with the ESA, and they will send you a copy.

However, it needs to be borne in mind that many reviews are late, at the moment, due to the backlogs, with audits etc.,

Lin