ESA Claim - two weeks now not heard anything?

[Deleted User]

Helped a family member with an initial claim and posted it off to local jobcentre as per instructions. That was over 2 weeks ago.

Any idea how long it takes to process an initial claim? And if there is any way to check it got recieved?

dktreesea

First the DWP have to refer it to whichever outside body does the work capability assessment. This can take months. Shouldn't, but can. Then the WCA people have to send you an appointment, currently a five month delay. In our area at least. Then, when you finally get the letter inviting you for a face to face, it could still be two or three weeks on. Even once you have gone for the f2f, the DWP then have to get their report back from the outside assessors and make a decision.


In the interim, you stay on JSA/UC but presumably with a doctor's note saying you are not fit for work, so don't have to look for work.


If you're successful, the good news is the extra payment is backdated to the date of the original claim. Though I note that for new claimants applying after a certain date in 2016, (I can't remember the exact date) there is no extra money. You just get the £73 a week, but it is ESA rather than JSA.

theartfullodger

I'd not be surprised to hear nothing in 2 weeks.

Contact numbers here..
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

Hope the claimant kept copy of submission & some proof it was sent (eg **free** certificate of posting)

tazwhoever

dktreesea - i believe the date is 1 April 2017 for new claimants for ESA

Tommo1980

The initial claim would normally be done over the phone. You would then receive the ESA50 by post where you explain how your disability/illness affects your ability to work. This is returned to a handling centre.

Once this is received/processed by DWP you will be placed on the assessment rate (same as JSA, backdated to your initial application) until your claim has been dealt with fully and a decision made (you may or may not be required to attend a f2f WCA).

If you have completed/returned the ESA50 and want to check on the progress of your claim you should ring the ESA helpline. The number will be on the paperwork you would have been sent

Tom

[Deleted User]

dktreesea wrote: »

First the DWP have to refer it to whichever outside body does the work capability assessment. This can take months. Shouldn't, but can. Then the WCA people have to send you an appointment, currently a five month delay. In our area at least. Then, when you finally get the letter inviting you for a face to face, it could still be two or three weeks on. Even once you have gone for the f2f, the DWP then have to get their report back from the outside assessors and make a decision.


In the interim, you stay on JSA/UC but presumably with a doctor's note saying you are not fit for work, so don't have to look for work.


If you're successful, the good news is the extra payment is backdated to the date of the original claim. Though I note that for new claimants applying after a certain date in 2016, (I can't remember the exact date) there is no extra money. You just get the £73 a week, but it is ESA rather than JSA.

Talking about initial claim. Fanily member is still working albeit with SSP just run out so should be moved to ESA.

[Deleted User]

Tommo1980 wrote: »

The initial claim would normally be done over the phone. You would then receive the ESA50 by post where you explain how your disability/illness affects your ability to work. This is returned to a handling centre.

Once this is received/processed by DWP you will be placed on the assessment rate (same as JSA, backdated to your initial application) until your laim has been dealt with fully and a decision made (you may or may not be required to attend a f2f WCA).

If you have completed/returned the ESA50 and want to check on the progress of your claim you should ring the ESA helpline. The number will be on the paperwork you would have been sent

Tom

Or you do the form online (ESA50) and post to local jobcentre.

Tommo1980

That would be the esa1 but it is far more reliable to start the application by phone.

You can't start a claim by sending esa50.

Tom

TELLIT01

The OP has stated that an initial claim was made 2 weeks ago and posted. Virtually all post is 2nd class so it can easily take a week or more for the ESA1 claim form to get to the processing office. If there is a mobile phone number on the claim form, the processing office is supposed to send a text to acknowledge receipt. That doesn't always happen, and the texting system used when I was there was far from reliable.
What does concern me is that the OP says then sent it to the local JC which is not the normal process. Post goes to a couple of central offices for sorting and is forwarded from there to the relevant processing centre. It's possible somebody at the local JC was trying to be helpful and has forwarded the papers via the internal system.
If you have heard nothing now, 2 weeks on, I would call to confirm that it has been received.