ESA assessment phase

I have legal POA for my daughter who has learning disability. She was previously on JSA and in Sept 2016 was put on extended sick leave for 12 weeks due to increased anxiety and low mood. I applied for ESA in January 2107 and completed the ESA50 form in March. The DWP received it on 17th March2017. She continues to be on the assessment phase some 6 months later, with no medical arranged or decision being made as to which group she will be put in. I try and phone at least x1 per day for the last week to the DWP but give up as I never get through. Meanwhile I submit sick notes from her GP on her behalf. Does anyone now the waiting time for a decision/medical if this is required? I sent a lot of medical evidence with her ESA50 form. She currently has PIP for both care and mobility at the high level. Thank you

Hi Craigyrhos,

I had a similar situation (re: waiting a long time) to have an assessment. My claim began September 2016 and still in Feb 2017 I hadn't been given an assessment rate. A welfare advisor rang the DWP on my behalf (the normal 0345 number) and asked about the delay and they looked it all up. They said that for some reason, my application had never been 'flagged' as waiting for an assessment. After this, they did what they called a fast tracked assessment and I had that in March 2017 - I received the decision (after calling several times) on 8th June.

So I would say try to keep calling and calling until you get through as there may have been a similar error with her application. I know that in some areas the wait is a much longer time than other areas as well for some reason based on what I've read. I live in a busy urban area if that makes any difference.

Good luck with trying to get through and finding out what's going on.

Thank you Clare. I will keep trying to get through but will use the Maximus tel no and see if I have any joy. I do keep asking the Disability Advisor at the Jobcentre if she has heard anything and she looks on their system. She is surprised I have heard nothing given she was extended sick leave for 3 months prior to the claim for JSA.

Thanks Gordon. I do have appointee status with the DWP and completed their forms a couple of years ago so they will speak to me direct and all DWP paperwork comes to my address as my daughter is unable to deal with this herself. I will contact Maximus to see if I can find out anymore, but maybe it is just a waiting game. Am I correct that she will be entitled to some extra money if she is put in the WC Group as her application was in January and the new ruling is from April 2017?

Hi again. I have just contacted Maximus on your advice and they have told me that they do not need to see my daughter for a medical as they contacted her GP and they have sent her file back to the DWP who should make a decision within the next 2-4 weeks. Thanks again for your help. I will let you know the outcome.