Waiting longer than 13 weeks for an assessment?

[osdset]

Chris Grayling: There are currently 37,909 ESA initial referrals open and awaiting an assessment that are in excess of 13 weeks from the date that the questionnaire was returned. However, Atos Healthcare and the Department are negotiating a realignment plan to ensure the increases in outstanding referrals are cleared as soon as possible and additional practitioners are being recruited and trained to address this.

From Hansard, here http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120301/text/120301w0001.htm#12030153000014

[worried33]

I assume they localised, when I sent my ESA50 in I had an appointment made within 2 working weeks.

 

I am curious if they all for new claims (which in turn delays increases of payments) and IB to ESA reassessments are given priority (as they can potentially decrease payments).

[speedfreek]

Payment for those still waiting for DWP assessment should be at WRAG rate from end of 13th week of assessment phase until an assessment/decision on LCW occurs.

 

See here

 

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/2810/

 

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3854975&highlight=

 

Still early days and DWP have month to challenge it (so 15th April) and I suspect they will. But worth keeping an eye on to see what happens.

 

So don't get you hopes up just yet!

[Nystagmite]

I agree with that. It's unfair to expect someone to live on the basis ESA for months (which is less than JSA with disability premium) because the system can't cope with that amount of medicals.

[worried33]

Does anyone know those who claim who dont even get the assessment rate do they get fast tracked?

 

on my ESA claim I am not entitled to anything until I have had a medical, not even the assessment rate.

 

As it stands I been told I can only live on a crisis loan for one period (2 weeks). Then I have nothing until I get ESA payments which wont be until I have had a medical. I supposedbly might be able to claim emergency income support but the advice seems a bit fubar as I have found no reference to it on the net.

[RaeUK]

Well, I'm 17 weeks into my latest claim with no sight of an ESA50! I'm losing count of how long I've been on the assessment rate for but it's now in excess of 170 weeks non-stop. Oh, I dream of the disability premium ...

[mark54]

Now 34 weeks, is this a record?

[sadone]

Does anyone know those who claim who dont even get the assessment rate do they get fast tracked?

 

on my ESA claim I am not entitled to anything until I have had a medical, not even the assessment rate.

 

As it stands I been told I can only live on a crisis loan for one period (2 weeks). Then I have nothing until I get ESA payments which wont be until I have had a medical. I supposedbly might be able to claim emergency income support but the advice seems a bit fubar as I have found no reference to it on the net.

 

 

Surely that can't be right? I thought you were at least entitled to the assessment rate until they saw you.

[worried33]

Surely that can't be right? I thought you were at least entitled to the assessment rate until they saw you.

 

Its right if thats how they written the law I guess

 

I am under different rules due to the circumstances I lost IB (missed medical).

 

So this hard attitude from the DWP could effectively be a multi month sanction on me getting any payments. Not to mention my new claim keeps hitting hurdles and hasnt even been processed yet.

[worried33]

Surely that can't be right? I thought you were at least entitled to the assessment rate until they saw you.

 

just spoke to welfare rights and they confirmed it but they believe the medical will be high priority and I wont wait as long as normal. Also they are going to ask a charity to help me with living costs while I wait as well as actually represent me on my original IB appeal.