Why another assessment

Fiona143

Hi looking for any information or help regarding ESA Support group. I was meant to get a home visit to see if I fitted into the criteria required for the support group, first I was contacted and they cancelled as they had nobody covering my are that was in early February this year, my ESA contribution based payments ended on the 10th September. I phone every week to see if there is any updates on my case, I was sent out an ESA3 form and severe disability forms which I sent back the same day I received them which was the 12th September, to date I've had no acknowledgement of them receiving my forms.

I am getting contradicting information from DWP staff nobody seems to be able to tell me what to do next and always end up fobing me off saying there is no face to face meetings...I've heard this a 100 times!! I havee been told blatant lies twice saying I was getting into the support group, I have contacted CAB and my MP who is also trying to help me but to date nothing positive has happened. I am still handing in fit notes and my doctor can't believe they are being so obstinate about my situation. I really don't know what to do? I luckily receive a small pension from my ex employer who gave me medical retirement due to my on going condition, if it wasn't for that I'd not be able to pay my rent or council tax which runs away with the majority of the pension I receive   I'm told I can't get help with my rent etc because I get a pension. Struggling is not the word Any information would be greatly appreciated.

poppy12345

Fiona143 said:

Hi looking for any information or help regarding ESA Support group. I was meant to get a home visit to see if I fitted into the criteria required for the support group, first I was contacted and they cancelled as they had nobody covering my are that was in early February this year, my ESA contribution based payments ended on the 10th September. I phone every week to see if there is any updates on my case, I was sent out an ESA3 form and severe disability forms which I sent back the same day I received them which was the 12th September, to date I've had no acknowledgement of them receiving my forms.

I am getting contradicting information from DWP staff nobody seems to be able to tell me what to do next and always end up fobing me off saying there is no face to face meetings...I've heard this a 100 times!! I havee been told blatant lies twice saying I was getting into the support group, I have contacted CAB and my MP who is also trying to help me but to date nothing positive has happened. I am still handing in fit notes and my doctor can't believe they are being so obstinate about my situation. I really don't know what to do? I luckily receive a small pension from my ex employer who gave me medical retirement due to my on going condition, if it wasn't for that I'd not be able to pay my rent or council tax which runs away with the majority of the pension I receive   I'm told I can't get help with my rent etc because I get a pension. Struggling is not the word Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Looking back through your thread i see your claim for ESA started in 2019 which means that it must be New Style ESA because new claims for the old ESA were no longer possible after December 2018. This means that your ESA is a contributions based only benefit and the disability premiums are not payable on this ESA. It is also only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group.

Yes face to face assessments are suspended and telephone assessments have replaced them. How long this process takes depends on backlog in your area. It's also not always possible to get all the information needed through just a telephone assessment, if this happens then you'll need to wait until face to face assessments are back up and running again, which has happened to quite a few people.

You should look at claiming Universal Credit for help with your rent. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. Fit notes from your GP will be needed to start the limited capability for work process off. Your pension will reduce your UC £1 for £1 if it's a works pension. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=68048550-ae10-46c3-80b3-333e822fd860

If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be exlcuded from claiming. If you live with a partner then you'll need to claim as a couple.

calcotti

poppy12345 said: Looking back through your thread i see your claim for ESA started in 2019 which means that it must be New Style ESA because new claims for the old ESA were no longer possible after December 2018. This means that your ESA is a contributions based only benefit and the disability premiums are not payable on this ESA. It is also only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group. 

If correct it would then make no sense for DWP to issue ESA3 and SDP forms as they are not relevant.

poppy12345

calcotti said:

poppy12345 said: Looking back through your thread i see your claim for ESA started in 2019 which means that it must be New Style ESA because new claims for the old ESA were no longer possible after December 2018. This means that your ESA is a contributions based only benefit and the disability premiums are not payable on this ESA. It is also only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group. 

If correct it would then make no sense for DWP to issue ESA3 and SDP forms as they are not relevant.

Exactly but as we know DWP often do things that make no sense. I've heard of this form being sent to people in the past while claiming NsESA. Given the date the OP claimed ESA then unless they were already claiming the SDP it must have been NsESA.

calcotti

poppy12345 said:

calcotti said:

poppy12345 said: Looking back through your thread i see your claim for ESA started in 2019 which means that it must be New Style ESA because new claims for the old ESA were no longer possible after December 2018. This means that your ESA is a contributions based only benefit and the disability premiums are not payable on this ESA. It is also only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group. 

If correct it would then make no sense for DWP to issue ESA3 and SDP forms as they are not relevant.

Exactly but as we know DWP often do things that make no sense. I've heard of this form being sent to people in the past while claiming NsESA. Given the date the OP claimed ESA then unless they were already claiming the SDP it must have been NsESA.

Agreed.