ESA claim appointment ? questions

fender62

i have this text: you must take part in your new style employment and support allowance telephone appointment, im off ill from work undergoing various tests mri ct scans etc, my ssp has ran out, so im on half pay now, im not on any benefits, this is my first claim for esa, what will i be asked.

huckster

It is a straightforward appointment to verify your identity using biographical questions and to run through a Claimant Commitment which is about agreeing to report any changes. And they will advise on ESA process and answer any questions you may have.

fender62

thanks for reply appreciated, so it's not about how much money i have coming in, doctors letters, savings etc, what is the - run through a Claimant Commitment which is about agree, 

huckster

It is mostly about claim process to make sure it starts out on correct basis and you know what you have to do.

If you don't attend, the claim will not proceed.

fender62

thank you so much, was getting anxiety on top of my illness, not pleasant.

Altior

I've just experienced this, it was very light touch, just a general chat really from a work coach. They acknowledged that I am not able to work currently. She asked a bit about my working background, why I had to stop working, if I had a CV etc. There was no digging deep into my medical issues. She asked if I was able to update my CV, it's just adding a line. Kind of irrelevant at this point, but no reason I should refuse to, so I agreed. That was the only thing I was asked to do. 

Seems a bit of chaos at the DWP right now, the work coach stated that they are in the middle of switching to a new system. She had arranged a follow up appointment after the initial one, which she missed (due to technical phone issues), called me later that day successfully. I received an email from them, but they can't sent attachments right now apparently, so I still don't have my claimant commitment in writing!

Anyway, over 2 months after applying, the first payment (+arrears) was finally processed at the end of last week, and I've now received a hard copy of the 'Capability for Work Questionnaire' [ESA50] through the post. I have a month to return it, after the date of the letter. This is the critical part, and used to determine if you are placed in the support group, or work-related activity group. I suppose that's the one observation, the work coach (more than once) stated that most applicants are placed in the work-related group. I believe that's factually correct, but my work coach won't be making the decision. 

fender62

Altior said:

I've just experienced this, it was very light touch, just a general chat really from a work coach. They acknowledged that I am not able to work currently. She asked a bit about my working background, why I had to stop working, if I had a CV etc. There was no digging deep into my medical issues. She asked if I was able to update my CV, it's just adding a line. Kind of irrelevant at this point, but no reason I should refuse to, so I agreed. That was the only thing I was asked to do. 

Seems a bit of chaos at the DWP right now, the work coach stated that they are in the middle of switching to a new system. She had arranged a follow up appointment after the initial one, which she missed (due to technical phone issues), called me later that day successfully. I received an email from them, but they can't sent attachments right now apparently, so I still don't have my claimant commitment in writing!

Anyway, over 2 months after applying, the first payment (+arrears) was finally processed at the end of last week, and I've now received a hard copy of the 'Capability for Work Questionnaire' [ESA50] through the post. I have a month to return it, after the date of the letter. This is the critical part, and used to determine if you are placed in the support group, or work-related activity group. I suppose that's the one observation, the work coach (more than once) stated that most applicants are placed in the work-related group. I believe that's factually correct, but my work coach won't be making the decision. 

how long was the phone call, i still have a job, im just on the sick at the moment with fit notes i give to my employer monthly.

Altior

fender62 said:

Altior said:

I've just experienced this, it was very light touch, just a general chat really from a work coach. They acknowledged that I am not able to work currently. She asked a bit about my working background, why I had to stop working, if I had a CV etc. There was no digging deep into my medical issues. She asked if I was able to update my CV, it's just adding a line. Kind of irrelevant at this point, but no reason I should refuse to, so I agreed. That was the only thing I was asked to do. 

Seems a bit of chaos at the DWP right now, the work coach stated that they are in the middle of switching to a new system. She had arranged a follow up appointment after the initial one, which she missed (due to technical phone issues), called me later that day successfully. I received an email from them, but they can't sent attachments right now apparently, so I still don't have my claimant commitment in writing!

Anyway, over 2 months after applying, the first payment (+arrears) was finally processed at the end of last week, and I've now received a hard copy of the 'Capability for Work Questionnaire' [ESA50] through the post. I have a month to return it, after the date of the letter. This is the critical part, and used to determine if you are placed in the support group, or work-related activity group. I suppose that's the one observation, the work coach (more than once) stated that most applicants are placed in the work-related group. I believe that's factually correct, but my work coach won't be making the decision. 

how long was the phone call, i still have a job, im just on the sick at the moment with fit notes i give to my employer monthly.

26 minutes.

I'm not a benefits expert in the slightest, learning via experience! I believe it will still be a work coach that takes your appointment/interview, as new style ESA is managed by the DWP/job centre, rather than UC. But tailored to your circumstances. The take out is that it's a 'getting to know' you style of telephone appointment, rather than any sort of interrogation. 

fender62

thanks for quick reply, not sure how long i'll be off work, still waiting for a diagnosis...nhs backlog errm, but i cannot work as i am literally really ill, and at 61 makes it that little harder.

Altior

fender62 said:

thanks for quick reply, not sure how long i'll be off work, still waiting for a diagnosis...nhs backlog errm, but i cannot work as i am literally really ill, and at 61 makes it that little harder.

So the support group is for applicants that it's determined have no prospect of returning to working. For everyone else, ie the work-related activity group, new style ESA is limited to a year. After that, it's UC only.

Spoonie_Turtle

Altior said:

fender62 said:

thanks for quick reply, not sure how long i'll be off work, still waiting for a diagnosis...nhs backlog errm, but i cannot work as i am literally really ill, and at 61 makes it that little harder.

So the support group is for applicants that it's determined have no prospect of returning to working. For everyone else, ie the work-related activity group, new style ESA is limited to a year. After that, it's UC only.

That's the intention behind it, but the way the assessment outcome is decided is based on points and descriptors.

Basic list of descriptors: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/ESA_criteria

More comprehensive info: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/benefits/employment-and-support-allowance-esa/employment-and-support-allowance-esa