ESA

I am waiting for a medical for my ESA, after being put into the assessment group,I have been waiting since February. I would like to know a couple of things.

1 If I am put in the support group will my award be back dated?
2 Is there a time limit on how long I need to wait for the medical?
3 Is there anything I should be doing?

Jane wrote: I am waiting for a medical for my ESA, after being put into the assessment group,I have been waiting since February. I would like to know a couple of things.

1 If I am put in the support group will my award be back dated?

2 Is there a time limit on how long I need to wait for the medical?

3 Is there anything I should be doing?

Hi J,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

In answer to your queries :

1. Any award of WRAG or SG will be backdated to the start of week 14 of your claim.

2. The DWP do state that there is a 13 weeks "Assessment Phase", and that a decision on the ESA award should be made around that period, with or without the need for a face to face "medical"

In reality, many ESA claimants have been in the Assessment Phase, awaiting a decision for much, much longer.

In some case in excess of 12 months.

i.e. There is no stipulated time limit for how long the DWP have to carry out The ESA WCA.

This is particularly bad for ESA claimants who are entitled to and paid Contribution Based (CB) ESA only, (Not Income Related (IR) ESA) as once they have received 365 days of payment of CB ESA, ("whilst not in The Support Group" (SG) ) payment of CB ESA ceases, and one will only receive IR ESA if they can pass the means test with respect to capital, assets, savings, household income and any hours worked by a partner if they have one :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

If any part of your current ESA payments are IR ESA, they will remain in payment in excess of the 365 days.

3. You could contact ATOS for an update :

See contact details under WCA Customer Service: to the right of this page :

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

If you suffer financial difficulties now, or in the future, you could contact the DWP and request that the expedite your ESA WCA and make a decision ASAP :

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

Further, we have heard from members who have had help in receiving an assessment by enlisting the support of their M.P. :

Contacting your MP

There is an "Understanding ESA Guide" 2nd link on this page :

ESA Claims Guides

Please reply to this topic if you have any further questions.

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