Moving from JSA to another benefit after illness? - Advice please

calcotti

nero33 wrote: »

We will ring up old ESA line and try to register a claim for income based ESA.

Thanks! You guys are very assuring for us both

When you ring I suggest you make clear at the beginning that you have 3 children - hopefully the person at the ESA claim centre will understand the rules.

As long as you are clear that you want to be assessed for income based ESA the claim will be for both contribution and income based ESA - it is one benefit under the old system.

When you ring (if they are still doing these claims as they used to) you will need to provide your NI numbers, GP details, details of any other household income and savings as well as your bank details. They will probably ask about your rent and council tax too (although a you already get HB and CTR this is not actually relevant). They will also want details of recent employment (employer and dates). Obviously the DWP should have all this information already because of the JSA claim but be prepared for them to ask for it again.

Good luck.

nero33

We made the claim for ESA over the phone tonight. It took about 45 mins (plus 20 mins waiting in a queue). Fantastic operator on the phone.

Many thanks to you all and big thumbs down to the Job Centre staff!

calcotti

Excellent. Make sure you get the Fit Note to the DWP. Husband will have to complete a Work Capability questionnaire in due cours.

Good luck going forward. I hope he makes a full recovery in due course.

nero33

calcotti wrote: »

Excellent. Make sure you get the Fit Note to the DWP. Husband will have to complete a Work Capability questionnaire in due cours.

Good luck going forward. I hope he makes a full recovery in due course.

Thanks. You're so kind. Recovery is No.1 priority. He had so many plans for the new year with regards to work & some business initiatives - had spend a fair chunk of cash to fund these ideas, so all on hold at the moment. ESA was not what we had envisaged

Hopefully fit note will be given tomorrow by GP (if we can get an appointment!).

I'll update ESA progress /any problems as it might provide useful for others in the future

nero33

Just a quick update. GP gave us a 2 month fit-note for starters. ESA claim did take a while to be approved (3.5 weeks), only because departments weren't communicating with one another even though all forms were completed and all supporting paperwork was submitted next day.

Thanks again to all. Slowish recovery being made by Husband but he's a lot better than 2 months ago

poppy12345

nero33 wrote: »

Just a quick update. GP gave us a 2 month fit-note for starters. ESA claim did take a while to be approved (3.5 weeks), only because departments weren't communicating with one another even though all forms were completed and all supporting paperwork was submitted next day.

Thanks again to all. Slowish recovery being made by Husband but he's a lot better than 2 months ago

3-4 weeks is the timescale for first payment once starting a new claim.