When does ESA pay double?

kieran1234

Hi i am nearly into my 14th week of esa, im currently getting paid £57.00 a week but living off just this is hard. On the DirectGov website it say's the pay doubles to £100.00 after 13weeks when will mine go to this? I have a friend who has been on esa for 7 months now and his pay still hasn't went up, Do i need to phone up or something. Thanks for replys

tomtontom

The rate will rise once you have been assessed - the Work Capability Assessment. In theory this will be done in the first thirteen weeks but there are big delays at the moment. If you are assessed as not fit for work the increase will be backdated to thirteen weeks.

kieran1234

Is the Assesment still done by ATOS?

paragon909

kieran1234 wrote: »

Is the Assesment still done by ATOS?

YES it is, you might not want to post here, they all have disabilities themselves yet see fit to question other peoples illness.

tomtontom

kieran1234 wrote: »

Is the Assesment still done by ATOS?

It is, yes - you may need a face to face appt or some are given awards on the paperwork they submit. It is helpful to get together any medical reports you have, and if possible a letter/ report from your GP/ consultant etc.

Indie_Kid

Has your friend received and returned an ESA50? It's a big form with loads of questions about your ability to do certain tasks. (communicate, mobilise, etc)

kieran1234

Ohh !!!!ing ATOS i have heard bad things about them, And yes i have seen some very snide comments on this forum but didn't know where else to post. Just a quick question if you fail atos and go to a tribunal. Do you still get paid basic esa pay while waiting for your appeal to go through?

paragon909

kieran1234 wrote: »

Ohh !!!!ing ATOS i have heard bad things about them, And yes i have seen some very snide comments on this forum but didn't know where else to post. Just a quick question if you fail atos and go to a tribunal. Do you still get paid basic esa pay while waiting for your appeal to go through?

you need to do a mandatory reconsideration first then you appeal if the decision is negative, im currently going through this.

Apparently im making it all up.

kieran1234

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Has your friend received and returned an ESA50? It's a big form with loads of questions about your ability to do certain tasks. (communicate, mobilise, etc)

Not to sure i don't think he has no

Indie_Kid

They've changed the rules slightly:
You have to ask for a reconsideration. During this time, you can't claim ESA. If your reconsideration is successful, your ESA is backdated to week 13. If unsuccessful, you need to carry on sending in sick / fit notes until the appeal. (which is also known as a tribunal)

tomtontom

kieran1234 wrote: »

Ohh !!!!ing ATOS i have heard bad things about them, And yes i have seen some very snide comments on this forum but didn't know where else to post. Just a quick question if you fail atos and go to a tribunal. Do you still get paid basic esa pay while waiting for your appeal to go through?

The situation with ATOS is far better than it was. One of the reasons the assessments are taking so long is that their reports are audited, so in effect your details are checked twice. Then it goes to the DWP Decision Maker, who will see all the evidence, including everything you submit. Their decision will be made on all the evidence, which is why it is important to submit your own.