No ESA assessment taken place after 13 weeks

[Trustdeeds]

I have been claiming ESA for 13 weeks as of today. I had expected contact to be made to me about the assessment I would have to undertake regarding which support group I would be in. If no contact has been made does this mean that they have decided which group I will be in without an assessment interview.

 

Thanks

[leemack]

Sorry, no. Unfortunately it usisally takes longer than 13 weeks to have the medical scheduled - for me it was 5 months. There isn't anything you can do except wait, and do lots of reading on how to handle the medical. There's a sticky on here and lots of other accounts here and elsewhere on the internet.

[Trustdeeds]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have also been made redundant while signed off and will officially be made redundant at the end of February. Does this effect my ESA claim?

 

Thanks

[leemack]

Are you getting income based or contribution based ESA and will you get any form of redundancy payout? If you're on cont based a payout shouldn't affect you, but if you're on income based then it might depending on the amount.

[Trustdeeds]

Currently on contributions based ESA. Redundancy payment of £15000 approx that will have to use pay off credit cards and overdraft.

[christospalmer]

I started claiming ESA in Feb 2009, it wasn't till Dec 2009 that I had my medical, it took two months after the medical before a decision to award me ESA was made, you need to wait a bit more I'm afraid, its annoying and frustrating, but thats the benefit system. Good luck with your claim.

[leemack]

Your payment shouldn't affect your cont based ESA. Are you receiving any other income based benefits? For instance housing benefit?

[Trustdeeds]

Thanks for all replies and advice.

 

Leemack

 

Receiving DLA - Care Component Middle Rate, Mobility Component Higher Rate. As my wife is working (teacher) I cannot claim any other benefits. The ESA though was awarded when my statutory sick pay ran out after 26 weeks. If no longer employed I know am able to claim JSA (max 6 months) but as I am still sick and unable to work I was wondering if I no longer qualify for ESA at the end of February. I realise I can only claim either JSA or ESA but ESA seems the better choice as it isn't restricted to 6 months.

[leemack]

You can claim ESA even if not working. There's no need to transfer to JSA while you're still signed off sick - ESA is the best option if you're ill, though you do have to make it through the medical.

[Trustdeeds]

Thanks Leemack for the prompt answers to all my queries. Will research the questions for the ESA work assessment when I receive a date.

[Trustdeeds]

Update:

 

Been put in Support Group without any medical. Anyone know how long this award lasts for before being reviwed?

[Nystagmite]

It should tell you on your award letter. It's different for everyone.

[Trustdeeds]

Thanks for prompt reply. Definitely no reference to date on how long before a review. Only reference to future dates is that I will receive a £10 bonus payment at Christmas.

[sj01]

Hi , I never got told how long it will be until I am reviewed.

I have been claiming ESA now for 18 months I think.

I'm scared to ask because I cant face going through all this again.

[Trustdeeds]

Thanks for the reply sj01. I understand you not contacting them in case it brings forward any review. Do you still have to provide sick notes to the ESA every three months?

[flumps1976]

You can remain in the support group for a varying period of time from a couple of months to a couple of years. The reviews at the moment seem to be focused on the Incapacity Benefit claims.

[antone]

You don't need to supply sick notes if you're in either the Support Group or the WRAG. However, it's wise to check that the system has been updated correctly - it's supposed to automatically remove the requirement but, well, it's an old computer system and mistakes get made.

[sj01]

Thanks for the reply sj01. I understand you not contacting them in case it brings forward any review. Do you still have to provide sick notes to the ESA every three months?

Hi, No as soon as my tribunal was successful I didnt need to send notes any more.