How long for ESA decision

gh67

Hi folks, I asked the question in October about claiming ESA and got some very helpful replies as I’ve never claimed benefits before at the age of 57 so it’s all a minefield to me. I’ve been receiving the basic ESA of £90pw and told they’ll contact me for interview to make a decision what ESA I get. They say it should take a couple of weeks but we’re now nearly 4 months in and heard nothing. I know they have received my questionnaire as I received a second one and called to be told they had first one and not to bother as second was sent by mistake. 

Thanks in advance 

poppy12345

Potentially anything up to several months, maybe longer. An assessment maybe needed before a decision is made. If so they will contact you with an appointment date and time. 

If placed into the Support Group your money will be increased from the 14th week of your claim and you will receive any money that’s owed. 

KxMx

You could contact the assessment provider and ask when you are likely to be given an appointment, unfortunately there are no set time frames for these things it will depend on how busy the assessment provider is, etc. 

Muttleythefrog

I agree with above... try to contact the assessment company itself and they may give some idea

gh67

KxMx said:

You could contact the assessment provider and ask when you are likely to be given an appointment, unfortunately there are no set time frames for these things it will depend on how busy the assessment provider is, etc. 

How do you find out who the assessment provider is? 

gh67

Meant to ask in my original post, if the assessment provider decides I’m not eligible they can’t claim back what they’ve paid can they? 

Muttleythefrog

gh67 said:

Meant to ask in my original post, if the assessment provider decides I’m not eligible they can’t claim back what they’ve paid can they? 

The assessment company is contracted by the DWP... they do not make decisions.... the DWP do that. No you will not need to repay anything - you're entitled to what you're currently getting and the decision following assessment will determine if you meet the criteria of disablement at one of two levels or neither. But it sounds likely that your case is currently with the assessment provider awaiting their advice which could include an assessment in person/telephone etc. There are delays but assessment company may have your case and give some idea on time.

This link will help you find assessment company
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider

Spoonie_Turtle

gh67 said:

Meant to ask in my original post, if the assessment provider decides I’m not eligible they can’t claim back what they’ve paid can they? 

No, they don't pay any higher amount until after assessment so there's nothing overpaid.  At the moment you're just receiving the basic rate which is the same as if you were claiming JSA or UC (as a single person).

gh67

Thanks for the replies, I’ll give them another couple of weeks and see how it goes. Puts my mind at rest that I won’t need to pay anything back if the decide I’m not entitled to anything.

huckster

Often the assessment referral is not made until 4 weeks after claim made. Then once the assessment form is returned back, it then takes another 2 to 3 months before assessment is completed. So from start of claim to eventually getting a decision after assessment, it is approximately 4 to 5 months after claim submitted.

You can call ESA and they will check current status of the assessment referral.  And if you call ESA if they find any issues with the referral, they can resolve this. Sometimes there can be issues where the ESA50 was not received by date required. The referral on the assessment companies system has been closed and following the ESA50 being found the referral was not opened again. So I would definitely call to check what is happening

gh67

huckster said:

Often the assessment referral is not made until 4 weeks after claim made. Then once the assessment form is returned back, it then takes another 2 to 3 months before assessment is completed. So from start of claim to eventually getting a decision after assessment, it is approximately 4 to 5 months after claim submitted.

You can call ESA and they will check current status of the assessment referral.  And if you call ESA if they find any issues with the referral, they can resolve this. Sometimes there can be issues where the ESA50 was not received by date required. The referral on the assessment companies system has been closed and following the ESA50 being found the referral was not opened again. So I would definitely call to check what is happening

I’ve already called them twice and been told it was received along with my GP letter and Occ Health assessment, hopefully they’ll be in touch soon as we’re nearly at 4 months.