ESA - Update...confused again.

ARCOrbit

I posted here in May because I was so confused and worried about claiming ESA. People were very helpful and gave me some good advice, and I was going to update people when I heard about my claim.

Anyway, I still haven't actually heard anything or received any money at all.

From what I've read here I should have received some money during the assessment phrase.

My claim started at the end of April and I sent the paperwork by recorded delivery a few weeks later (before the date they said I had to return it all by).

I did receive a text message from the DWP a few weeks later telling me I'd receive a decision by 11th May.

I never did hear anything so called them and they said to wait another week or so.

I didn't want to keep pestering them so waited a bit longer but today thought I should chase it up.

They said they weren't sure what stage my claim was at but sounded surprised that I hadn't received any money. They've told me someone will call me back tomorrow morning.

Should I be worried? What happens if they've lost all my paperwork/notes? I sent it all by recorded delivery but I suppose they could have lost it after receiving? I feel a bit bad making such a fuss because my claim has now ended. I had sick notes covering me for 2 months, and although I'm not completely better, I think I want to start working again. I have a check-up at the doctor soon so I'll discuss with them and if I have to, I'll get another sick note but think I will be able to work again (even if just part-time).

So I know my claim's only for 2 months and that's now ended - but I do sort of need that money (I guess it will be back-dated).

I just don't know if this is normal. From what I've read here, people do receive some sort of money during assessment phrase (and I guess that's the only phrase I'll ever be in if my claim's only for 2 months).

Horseunderwater

Yes most do get the assessment rate for the 1st 13+ weeks. Provided you sent in the fit note (Med3) & that they def have it, you should have been paid.

ARCOrbit

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Yes most do get the assessment rate for the 1st 13+ weeks. Provided you sent in the fit note (Med3) & that they def have it, you should have been paid.

Thanks for replying. So, do you think this means they've lost my paperwork? I feel so stressed at the thought of having to go through sending everything all over again!

The person I spoke to sounded surprised that I hadn't received any money (or letters from them) and couldn't see on her system what was going on with my claim (which is why she said someone would call me back after looking into it).

My claim was only for 2 months - so I don't know if maybe they are going straight to a decision (and skipping assessment stage)?

I suppose I'll have to wait and see if anyone does call me back tomorrow. I hope so because it's expensive calling them and I'm on hold for a while, which adds to the call costs.

epitome

And what did they say when they called you back?

ARCOrbit

epitome wrote: »

And what did they say when they called you back?

I'm hoping things will be sorted. They did call me back (I was worried they wouldn't) and said it will be processed that same day and I should receive the money (and a letter) in the next few days.

I'll post back here when I do receive the money and letter - hopefully it will be next week.

Thank you to everyone who has given me advice.

von

I would give it a week and if you haven't heard anything phone them again.

ARCOrbit

von wrote: »

I would give it a week and if you haven't heard anything phone them again.

Thanks for the advice. I'm really hoping it will actually just be sorted out and I don't have to call them again! I don't want to get stressed dealing with sorting it out as I really want to focus on getting better and starting to work again (and it's expensive calling them!).

I'll just have to wait and see what happens I suppose and then call again if I haven't heard anything. I never received a hospital appointment letter a few months ago so always worry about letters not arriving (but suppose I'd find out if the claim has been sorted when I check my bank account).

I still don't know if I'm going to continue the claim. I'm not better yet but think the treatment is helping so even if I can only work part-time that would be better. But I really need the money for the past 2 months so hopefully they will sort the claim out soon.

I'm seeing the doctor again soon so I'll see what they say.

ARCOrbit

Just wanted to update on what happened.

I received a letter from the DWP yesterday. Nothing about any payments or what I would receive. It was just telling me my fit note was due to run out.

I'm not sure if any other letter has been lost in the post but I've checked my bank account and money has been paid in so I guess the claim has now been processed.

I'm not sure what to do about continuing the claim. I'm still mostly housebound (but have been told by my GP and the hospital consultant that the treatment can take time to work) but a close relative is going to give me some money, and that will take me over the savings limit.

Someone told me I should still claim ESA for NI credits but I was also thinking of trying to do some freelance work from home. I might not be able to do it (depending on how well I feel) but it's worth a try - even if I don't earn much, I don't want a big gap on my CV. I have some contacts from when I freelanced in the past so think I could get some more work that way on a freelance basis. It wouldn't earn me much - about £20 a week - so I don't know if it could be covered by "permitted work".

I don't even know if "permitted work" counts if I'm not claiming any money for ESA (and just NI credits)?

I'll call DWP to ask them but I'm thinking it would be best and easier to just close the claim. I could just pay voluntary NI credits when I have some more money (I'm going to need the savings to pay the rent at the moment until I can work more hours but I think I have time to pay voluntary NI credits?).

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and help they've given me here.

help4help2013

you need to male a formal complaint to the DWP and get your local MP involved on this they seem to be dragging there heels a bit and need a kick up the back side you should be paid the assessment rate by now but you do need to make sure you keep sending in your sick notes

have you spoke to your local housing benefit team? you can make an application for hoeing benefit based on a NIL income

how much savings do you have?

http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

ARCOrbit

help4help2013 wrote: »

you need to male a formal complaint to the DWP and get your local MP involved on this they seem to be dragging there heels a bit and need a kick up the back side you should be paid the assessment rate by now but you do need to make sure you keep sending in your sick notes

have you spoke to your local housing benefit team? you can make an application for hoeing benefit based on a NIL income

how much savings do you have?

http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

I'm sorry - I think my post was too long and confusing, but thank you for replying.

I have actually now received the money. I never received a letter from them about this but checked my bank account and it went in a couple of days ago (it was the whole amount for the past couple of months in one big payment).

I've received a letter yesterday - not confirming anything about the payment but just telling me my fit note was about to run out.

I'm not actually claiming housing benefit. I wanted to sign a new lease (it's due for renewal very soon) before doing that as I didn't want to risk the landlord finding out.

I'm lucky that I have some savings and was using that money to pay the rent.

I've now just been told by a relative that they want to give me some money and this will take me just over £16,000. I know I'm very lucky to be given this and won't claim ESA for any money but someone told me I should keep claiming for National Insurance credits (for pension).

But I'm also going to try some part-time freelance work (less than 16 hours a week and it would be about £20 a week).

I'm going to call DWP tomorrow to ask what I should do.

Thank you so much to everyone who has given me advice and help. I really appreciate it because things have been so stressful with the health problems and I didn't want to deal with anything else like ESA as well.

Horseunderwater

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/work-people-living-disability-or-health-conditions read this re permitted work - then ask for a PW1 form to fill out.