SDA-ESA: Successful Outcome

Dear Mods and Members,

This post follows on from the one started on 30 June:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=top...=10&id=101955#124748

Yesterday, I received a phone call from the DWP. I have been placed in the ESA Support Group for the maximum term of three years. This was the only reasonable decision given my medical condition…. but such are the time! I can’t say I feel jubilant but it’s a considerable relief and I know I’ve been very fortunate by comparison with many claimants who post here.

I’d like to thank B & W for making excellent guidance to welfare changes easily available and affordable. I am particularly grateful to the modulators who have always been ready to give advice and have never spared words of kindness. Although this is not a discussion forum I have been glad of the camaraderie of fellow members. For the benefit of people still in the transfer process I am following Winterchild’s example and providing a timeline of my SDA-ESA migration:

• DWP send out initial notice of transfer: 111 days
• DWP Phone Call: 103 days
• ESA 50 delivered to claimant: 89 days
• ESA 50 returned to ATOS: 79 days
• ATOS return file to DWP with recommendation based on paper scrutiny (without medical): 70 days
• DWP time to make decision and inform claimant: 70 days

I think that adds to up about 16 weeks from the date on the initial DWP letter.

I have yet to receive written notice of my ESA award but I have issued a Subject Access Request (SAR) and shall keep you updated on that.

I’d like to add that almost all my supporting data was “historic”. My GP wrote a letter but it could only have served as a prop to much older evidence and my own input.

Huge thanks,

Mari

Wonderful ! Sleep week tonight !

Great news MW !!

I am pleased that they came to the right decision.

Hopefully you can now relax for some time without the worry of your ESA entitlement.

Your comments regarding B&W and "The Mods" are much appreciated.

bro58

Well done Mari


Chrissy V

Thanks everybody for your very kind words. I am still all-of-a jitter. Having posted my news, I went out with my carer. I opened my purse to pay for something. My debit card wasn't there. We rush home. It was under my keyboard. We both need a brandy