How long to wait for New Style ESA covid payment?

mongoose11

C.A.B state online it could be weeks. Regarding just ESA over "waiting days" though they add: "Coronavirus - waiting days You’ll be paid without waiting days if you: ... are caring for a child who has coronavirus or who is following guidance to stay home"
Wondering if this applies to new style esa.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/claiming-new-style-esa/

thanks.

poppy12345

Yes it applies to New style ESA. Although payment can take about 4 weeks going by other threads i've seen in the past. Usually a claim for New style ESA takes 2-3 weeks but backlogs at DWP due to obvious circumstances means there's a delay with payments starting. They will write to you with a decision letter.

mongoose11

Thanks. I see SSP is available in 3 working days. Strange logic.

[Deleted User]

mongoose11 said:

Thanks. I see SSP is available in 3 working days. Strange logic.

SSP is claimed through existing payroll by your employer, so most of the work is already done, nsESA is a claim by an individual which needs to be assessed. 

poppy12345

mongoose11 said:

Thanks. I see SSP is available in 3 working days. Strange logic.

There's many thousands of other people who have also claimed NSESA...

mongoose11

MadMattUK said:

mongoose11 said:

Thanks. I see SSP is available in 3 working days. Strange logic.

SSP is claimed through existing payroll by your employer, so most of the work is already done, nsESA is a claim by an individual which needs to be assessed. 

I understand but during these times seems a bit of a lethargic process. 

poppy12345 said:

mongoose11 said:

Thanks. I see SSP is available in 3 working days. Strange logic.

There's many thousands of other people who have also claimed NSESA...

not quite sure how that relates... quantity vs rationale... but same boat i get.

poppy12345

Simple explanation really, you're not the only one claiming for the first time and they are not just going to "give you the money" without first doing their checks.

mongoose11

poppy12345 said:

Simple explanation really, you're not the only one claiming for the first time and they are not just going to "give you the money" without first douing their checks.

yup, but what if a more efficient process was in place that sped things up to be in line with ssp (for covid) ... twas my point.

poppy12345

I know what your point was but it's highly unlikely to happen because of the amount of people claiming because of Covid. The good news is, if you qualify then it's backdated to the date you started your claim.

[Deleted User]

mongoose11 said:

poppy12345 said:

Simple explanation really, you're not the only one claiming for the first time and they are not just going to "give you the money" without first douing their checks.

yup, but what if a more efficient process was in place that sped things up to be in line with ssp (for covid) ... twas my point.

The process for SSP is totally different, employers have to be registered for PAYE, you as an employer have to be on an RTI submission, it is quick because the verification has already been done. The reason nsESA takes longer is because the verification and processing needs to be done from scratch, they need to make sure that people are who they say they are so they do not end up paying out fabricated claims. 

At the moment it is especially difficult due to the huge surge in applications and staffing issues. The process could potentially be a bit more "efficient", but the cost of changing from one system which works, to another system which works a little bit quicker would cost the taxpayer millions, so it is more "efficient" as far as the government and taxpayer is concerned to keep the current one. 

calcotti

mongoose11 said:

poppy12345 said:

Simple explanation really, you're not the only one claiming for the first time and they are not just going to "give you the money" without first douing their checks.

yup, but what if a more efficient process was in place that sped things up to be in line with ssp (for covid) ... twas my point.

SSP is paid by your employer, there is no claim to process and nothing to be checked.

ESA is paid by the government who have to confirm that your claim is valid.