How do I claim New Style ESA

Becles

I'm trying to claim New Style ESA
I cannot get through on the phone number here:
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim?step-by-step-nav=a661e652-204c-4abf-a2ce-9f183aca85b9
If you follow the claiming ESA options, it just routes you to a message telling you to ring the number that you are already ringing on?!

I've had a look at the Universal Credit Online account. So far I've put my basic details in to open a UC account as it says on the link above. However there are no links to claim ESA and it just looks like a Universal Credit claim on there.

I only want to claim ESA. I do not want to claim Universal Credit as I get tax credits so I'm better off stopping on those.

Please can anyone advise how to do this? It's so confusing.

calcotti

The latest advice I can find is this:

http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz//lz.aspx?p1=M1qDUwMDEyMVMxMTE0OjQ5RUUyMUZFMUQ0RTZBNDE0OEY5NTA0RDUwQjIyOTE0-&CC=&p=0

Clarification – application process for New Style Employment and Support Allowance
Following queries last week we wanted to clarify the process for applying for New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
 People should apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance by phone, where they are not already claiming Universal Credit. 
 When a New Style Employment and Support Allowance claim is taken over the phone we will verify a person’s identity at the same time. Claimants do not need to complete a form. 
 We are aware the phones lines are exceptionally busy and are working to improve the situation as quickly as possible. Claimants will be able to back date their claim and they should keep trying to get through on the phone.
People who have applied for Universal Credit or are already getting Universal Credit should contact their work coach or case manager about applying for New Style Employment and Support Allowance by signing in to their Universal Credit account. 

This doesn't help if you can't get through.

Becles

When you get through, it says press option 2. Then another set of options tell you to press 3 to start a New Style ESA claim. Then you get a recorded message telling you to dial the number you've already rang on and it cuts you off.

poppy12345

Sounds like all you can do is to keep trying to get through.

tessieb

Beckles, I've finally managed to speak to someone about claiming for ESA.  I tried ringing yet again and, after the options and pressing 3, instead of being cut off as usual I was put into a queue.  I had to wait around 50 minutes but eventually got through to someone.  A claim form is being emailed to me.
How are you getting on?

calcotti

tessieb said:   A claim form is being emailed to me.

That's interesting. I thought that at the moment they were taking the claims over the phone because forms normally have to be taken to your local JobCentre for a face to face appointment. Will be interesting to know what they ask you to do with the form after you have completed it.

Becles

tessieb said:

Beckles, I've finally managed to speak to someone about claiming for ESA.  I tried ringing yet again and, after the options and pressing 3, instead of being cut off as usual I was put into a queue.  I had to wait around 50 minutes but eventually got through to someone.  A claim form is being emailed to me.
How are you getting on?

I've managed to get through by going through the options to claim UC, then told the lady who answered that I couldn't get through to anyone about ESA. She put me through to the right person. He filled a form in over the phone. He said they are inundated with applications so it could be 20+ days before I hear if I've been awarded it. That's fair enough mind given the circumstances we're living in.

tessieb

calcotti said:

tessieb said:   A claim form is being emailed to me.

That's interesting. I thought that at the moment they were taking the claims over the phone because forms normally have to be taken to your local JobCentre for a face to face appointment. Will be interesting to know what they ask you to do with the form after you have completed it.

Calcotti, I was emailed a link to a form.  It stated on the email that the form was just for my personal use.  It was very straightforward to fill in and didn't take long and I just had to press send when it was completed.  I may have to wait a while before I hear anything as they're so busy but at least it's done now.

tessieb

Becles said:

I've managed to get through by going through the options to claim UC, then told the lady who answered that I couldn't get through to anyone about ESA. She put me through to the right person. He filled a form in over the phone. He said they are inundated with applications so it could be 20+ days before I hear if I've been awarded it. That's fair enough mind given the circumstances we're living in.

I'm glad you managed to get to speak to someone, Becles.

calcotti

tessieb said:

Calcotti, I was emailed a link to a form.  It stated on the email that the form was just for my personal use.  It was very straightforward to fill in and didn't take long and I just had to press send when it was completed.  I may have to wait a while before I hear anything as they're so busy but at least it's done now.

Interesting to know - thanks for posting. That seems sensible, takes less time their end than taking all the details over the phone (which is why they switched away from it).