New Style ESA 'claimant commitment' interview

Altior

Hi all

As per my other thread, I applied for New Style ESA online. This is a different topic really, so started a new thread, and it's a basic question.

As per below, I was meant to be contacted by 16 August, which passed two weeks ago. I followed all the instructions, had to send in my fit note via snail mail as the online submission was being rejected.

I realise that the state doesn't seem to function awfully well nowadays, however 'we will' sounds pretty definitive. 

The question is, at what point do you think I should begin chasing it up? Are delays and missed deadlines from the DWP commonplace? As per my original thread, I do have savings to lean on, so it's not urgent in that sense, but I do want to confirm that the cogs are turning re the application. Thanks!

Rubyroobs

I would chase up on monday. Are you sure you haven't missed any calls ?

Altior

Rubyroobs said:

I would chase up on monday. Are you sure you haven't missed any calls ?

Definitely, no missed calls. Post is inconsistent but have received mail that would have been generated in the last couple of weeks.

huckster

I believe it it taking about 1 month after application before Job Centre appointment is arranged. 

If outside of this, then definitely chase up.

Altior

Thanks, we did have a BH in the middle of this (though already past their self imposed deadline), I'll give them until the end of the week. 

Altior

Decided to call today, nothing is showing on their system so it has been escalated. The agent said they are experiencing delays, but doesn't know if that's the reason why I have not been contacted. She was however able to confirm that they have received my fit note via snail mail. 

Altior

Hey all.

I have my 'claimant commitment' interview scheduled next week.

I've done a fair amount of research into what this involves, so that I can be suitably prepared. However most content appears to relate to UC and existing claimants migrating, rather than brand new 'new style ESA' claims.

I believe, after the interview I will be sent a manual form to populate - 'ESA50', where go through in thorough detail how your condition(s) impact the possibility of working or looking for work (work related activity).

What I'm trying to pin down, is what exactly is covered in the initial claimant commitment interview. Will it effectively be a short interview asking why I feel I should be in receipt of ESA, if I have a fit note or other relevant evidence, and commit to letting them know if something changes. Or will it be an extensive, detailed interview, effectively going through all of the ESA50 questions verbally? 

At what point is it determined if I will be in the 'LCWRA', I believe this might be known as the support group. He mentioned I will have a medical after 3 months on new style ESA, is it only established which group you're in after the medical (I believe it's technically called a medical assessment).

Many thanks in advance for any help, and apologies if it's been answered before! I like to feel I'm quite confident in online research, but navigating the benefits system is proving to be quite the minefield. I have established (I think) that I will need to score 15 points in total out of 17 'descriptors'. 

The video below has lots of useful detail (imo), but doesn't appear to mention anything about the claimant commitment step.

ESA50 and UC50 training

Newcad

The claimant commitment is very short, it's just saying what you need to do from an administrative point of view. (Basically just tell them of changes). It's a bit of a nothing but paperwork is paperwork even if it's on a computer and not paper.

Then as you say the ESA50 (or UC50, they are exactly the same except one says ESA and the other says UC) is the long questionaire that is the first 'evidence gathering' about how your condition(s) affect your ability to do any work.

The process is called a Work Capability Assessment' (WCA fot short).

Altior

Newcad said:

The claimant commitment is very short, it's just saying what you need to do from an administrative point of view. (Basically just tell them of changes). It's a bit of a nothing but paperwork is paperwork even if it's on a computer and not paper.

Then as you say the ESA50 (or UC50, they are exactly the same except one says ESA and the other says UC) is the long questionaire that is the first 'evidence gathering' about how your condition(s) affect your ability to do any work.

The process is called a Work Capability Assessment' (WCA fot short).

That's great, thank you @Newcad

One last question if you don't mind, I am on the spectrum (AS), though as it's never been formally diagnosed, I didn't include it in my medical conditions disclosed on my initial application. Having viewed that CAB training video, they say you can include conditions that you're not being medically treated for in the claim (but it helps if they are). It's counter intuitive as I've always welcomed this element of my personality (helped with my accounting work, highly numerate et al, needed everything stepped out), but it could definitely earn points in the descriptors, as I'm extremely socially awkward, hate any kind of human interaction and do anything I can possibly do to avoid it effectively a recluse, but happy to be so!). Should I just include that in the ESA50 anyway? I did read somewhere that the people carrying out the assessment are unlikely to be aware of what was originally reported.

huckster

Thr health professionals completing the work capability assessments are use to people saying they have undiagnosed health conditions. But as they are assessments on behalf of DWP, they are not to diagnose conditions and will just note what you have said.

To make any difference you should speak to your GP and ask to be referred to obtain autistic spectrum diagnosis.  The assessment company with the consent you provide will write to your GP and therefore if your GP notes that autism diagnosis process has been requested it might then be helpful.

Altior

Thanks huckster. 

Of course, the last thing you want to do if you have AS is to speak to a stranger and spend time talking about yourself. I think you're right, I am going to have to bite the bullet and push through the mental pain to get the diagnosis, after resisting so long. I'm seeing my GP soon as I need to renew my fit note, so I think I will do that. 

I have actually spoken to my GP about it in the past, so it should be noted on my record somewhere, but she just gave me the phone number of a charity on a piece of paper, that would be even worse calling some random person so I never called the number. I'm using a private GP now and he will take me more seriously I suspect.