ESA/ Support group

pope

Had my ESA assessment a few weeks ago today have received a letter from DWP informing me that I have been put in the support group which is a relief.
On page 4 of 6 of the letter headed How Employment Support And Allowance Has Been Worked at the bottom of it says the amounts on this page apply from 7 July to 30 November 2023.

Does this mean I have been put in the support group untill 30 November 2023 and will be reassesd nearer this date? I'm bit confused.

Thank you

Muttleythefrog

I doubt that... this seems more likely a reflection of the terrible letters ESA send and the fact that you might get an Xmas bonus in the December which changes the amount. If you want you can phone them to ask when your next review is scheduled which will indicate how long they set the 'award' for (probably based from the date of assessment and most likely I would suggest to be 1-3 years). If you do contact them ask for copy of your assessment report if not already obtained as that should also shed light and be helpful to you at next review.

pope

It seem odd to be put in the ESA support group for such a short period. Fingers crossed and I'm praying to God but when I do phone DWP if they say its correct I have been awarded from 7July to 30 November 2023. What do I do ? Honestly I can't go through all of it again in a such a short time.

Thanks

Muttleythefrog

pope said:

It seem odd to be put in the ESA support group for such a short period. Fingers crossed and I'm praying to God but when I do phone DWP if they say its correct I have been awarded from 7July to 30 November 2023. What do I do ? Honestly I can't go through all of it again in a such a short time.

Thanks

Just call them .... this will most likely put your mind at ease (albeit after waiting ages for them to answer!) and save you thinking about an issue which likely isn't coming up.... and ask for the report which will include a prognosis that they likely relied on to set the next review date plus likely the details by which you ended up in the Support Group.

Report back here once you have the confirmation of next review date and especially if I am wrong... and if I am wrong it is even more important you ask for copy of assessment report.

(For general reference there seem to be delays in the system for reviews and the government is committed to eventually removing the WCA and using PIP to determine disablement for ESA/U-Credit)

poppy12345

Everyone that claims either New style or Contributions based ESA their letters will always say it's only up until end of November. This is because the qualifying week for Christmas bonus is first week of December. Very often people post asking this same question. Support Group has no end date as it's an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise.

Do be aware that if you ring for a review date, it's only a guide and nothing more. Many people go over their expected review date. This is the reason why in 10 years of claiming ESA i've never once rang to ask that question.

HillStreetBlues

Agree with poppy12345 it does crop up a with the same issue.
As reassessments have only just restarted, I can't see you being called up for quite a while.

pope

poppy12345 said:

Everyone that claims either New style or Contributions based ESA their letters will always say it's only up until end of November. This is because the qualifying week for Christmas bonus is first week of December. Very often people post asking this same question. Support Group has no end date as it's an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise.

Do be aware that if you ring for a review date, it's only a guide and nothing more. Many people go over their expected review date. This is the reason why in 10 years of claiming ESA i've never once rang to ask that question.

I am going to phone DWP first thing Monday morning. I have been supplying sick notes to DWP current sick note expires 15th August. As I'm now in the support group do I still need to supply sick notes as the letter does not say? 

A work coach from my local Jobcentre phones me every 4 weeks and I think she will be phoning me soon will the work coach be aware that I have been put in the support group? Also do still have to have work coach chats?

Thanks 

poppy12345

You no longer need to send anymore fit notes. You will also not be expected to do any work related activity so the appointment with a work coach should now be cancelled. They should be aware of the decision.

Please also be aware that when you ring ESA you'll be speaking to someone from a call centre and they very often give incorrect advice.

Muttleythefrog

pope said:

poppy12345 said:

Everyone that claims either New style or Contributions based ESA their letters will always say it's only up until end of November. This is because the qualifying week for Christmas bonus is first week of December. Very often people post asking this same question. Support Group has no end date as it's an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise.

Do be aware that if you ring for a review date, it's only a guide and nothing more. Many people go over their expected review date. This is the reason why in 10 years of claiming ESA i've never once rang to ask that question.

I am going to phone DWP first thing Monday morning. I have been supplying sick notes to DWP current sick note expires 15th August. As I'm now in the support group do I still need to supply sick notes as the letter does not say? 

A work coach from my local Jobcentre phones me every 4 weeks and I think she will be phoning me soon will the work coach be aware that I have been put in the support group? Also do still have to have work coach chats?

Thanks 

Great... having a date will I think help ease your anxiety on the matter as it has done me over the years... although of course the caveats as above that you wouldn't necessarily be assessed at/around such date and of course we know the system faces potential changes including a proposed abolition of the WCA (so advice I would give now is regarding any review date you are given... if you don't hear from ESA before or around that time come to somewhere like here and ask what's happening with assessments as it really could be anything years down the line and after a General election).

No need to supply sick notes as you're now in the "main phase" of the benefit rather than "assessment phase". You'll have no requirement to seek work or undergo work related activity including work focussed interviews so that should stop unless you get option to continue to engage with such and wish to.

HillStreetBlues

I has issues with a WC when I moved into the SG. A WC phone me saying the he liked to keep in touch and would be phoning one a month. I told him that I didn't want that now in the SG and calls unwanted. He insisted that he had the right do do so, and said he would call me next month. I rung up and complained about him and stated that I wanted no further contact, never  heard from a WC again while I was on ESA.
So do  stand your ground if that happens to you.

pope

 So just to give a update Phoned DWP this morning they have told me that I have been put in the ESA support group for a year next assessment review 7th July 2024. I have also requested the assesors report which they are going to post to me.

I will give another update when I get the assesors report perhaps it will show why I have only been put into it for 1 year?

Thanks