ESA question

Poplar88

Hi - Further to my enquiries yesterday I phoned the DWP today to make a claim for ESA (I got a Sick Certificate from my Doctor yesterday) - They said I have to close down my current JSA Claim before I apply for ESA - Does anyone on here know roughly how long it takes for them to assess an ESA Claim because obviously if I end my JSA Claim I wont have any money coming in until my ESA Claim is processed - I have to go to the Job Centre this Thursday as this is my next Signing On day so was going to close my JSA Claim then - Also again relating to Permitted Work whilst on ESA...can you start it immediately ESA has been awarded even whilst you are in the Assessment Phase... .Thank you all for any help you can give.