Thought I was due to receive an ESA50...

Hi,

I was kept in the SG (IR ESA) without the need for a F2F in 2014 (received form in November 2013 to be returned in the new year and got SG letter in Feb 2014, I believe). At the time, I got up the nerve to call and ask how long I'd been placed in the SG for and was told 3 years.
So, I *think* I am due a new ESA50 but as yet nothing has come. Are there any delays, does any one know? Is it normal for it to take a bit longer sometimes?

My condition is physical but I also suffer depression and horrible anxiety. I feel way too anxious to call them and inquire, but am also a bag of nerves that the form may have gone astray (mum and friend think this unlikely). I am terrified I'll get a reminder to return the form when I haven't had it, leaving me no time to fill it in (my condition is such that it took me the whole time allowed to fill it in last time and I still really struggled). Also, knowing them, I'm not sure they'd listen to 'I didn't get one'...
I'm also starting to convince myself they've perhaps not sent the form because these new officers they are recruiting to appeal appeals are due to start and I'm intended to be in a guinea pig group of something, esp since I've been ill for a few years and am still relatively young.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks.

Hi Shell,

Things have not changed since your previous topic a month or so ago

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=topic&catid=10&id=112019

There are delays in reassessment in a few areas but I do not know which ones.

The only way you can know for sure whether a letter has been sent but gone astray is to ask. If you don't want to contact DWP you can ask Maximus whether they have had your details passed to them for reassessment.

www.chdauk.co.uk/

Thanks, Mrs Hurtyback, I appreciate your replying.

If the letter has somehow gone astray and I choose not to call them and then get a 'reminder' to get the form back in, would they allow more time, do you know? I'm not sure how you prove you didn't receive a letter cos they just come via regular post... Do you think they would allow more time based on a claimant's 'word' that an ESA50 was not received?

I'm a bit scared even to ring Maximus to be honest (what a wimp!)
I might be being a bit premature...I *think* it would have been due exactly 3 years more or less to the day the last one came.

Would you know if it's possible to find out if my area is affected by delays?

Many thanks.

Hi Shell,

The DWP stance is that any letter sent and correctly addressed has been delivered unless the claimant can prove otherwise.

The length of time to fill in and submit the ESA form is laid down in law and there is no room for extensions - although a second from might be sent out with a new submission date.

Gosh, I've no idea how on earth a person is supposed to prove non-receipt when the forms come by regular mail!
I hate to trouble you again but can I ask where you found out there are delays with ESA50 forms going out in some areas? I can't find anything out about that.
If any one can direct me to a site where I might find out which areas are specifically affected I'd appreciate it. I'm in the north west.

Mrs Hurtyback, do you know how long you get to fill in the ESA50 form? I know last time mine had to be back by 1st Jan 2014 so if you or anyone else here know how long you get to fill the form in I could try to work out when it should have come.
I'm pretty sure I got the ESA50 in November 2013 some time. Should the form arrive three years to the day or can it be a few weeks either side? I don't know if I'm being premature due to my anxiety.
When is the latest I should ring Maximus (based on the info I've shared)?

Sorry for all the questions. I am in a bad place with my anxiety.

Many thanks for being so understanding.

We have a few members who comment that the ESA process has taken longer than expected and are told it is because of delays and backlogs. I'm afraid I don't know what area these people are in and, to the best of my knowledge, there is no website documenting this.

The claimant has 4 weeks in which to get the ESA50 completed and back to DWP. This includes time in the post in both directions. In addition it is the claimant's responsibility to take account of weekends, bank holidays etc.

I'm afraid I cannot tell you when to contact Maximus.