ESA delay question

Hi,

I was just reading a post here about reassessments for ESA which has left me a bit confused. In reply to the poster's question re their not having received an ESA50 form four months ago as they should have, Gordon said there are no delays in initiating assessments. I read this to mean people should be receiving their ESA50 form on time?

I was under the impression that in many parts of the country, ESA reassessments (inc receiving the ESA50 form) are running behind and that people are often receiving their ESA50 later - sometimes much later - than they'd anticipated. This seemed to tie in with my own case in that I should have received an ESA50 form very early 2017, making mine very overdue.

Can someone please clarify? I am now wondering if the onus has been on me to contact them... I really can't bear the thought of calling them.

Can anyone specify what aspect(s) of the ESA process the delays are supposed to be with exactly?

And , have any others here had such a long delay in receiving their ESA50 form? I'm not sure what to do but really don't want to ring them unless on pain of death tbh

Thanks.

Thanks for replying, Gordon - I appreciate it, and the fact that the onus is on them and I won't get into hot water for not having contacted them!

Can I just ask, though, Gordon, why I have this idea there were delays? I'm sure I've seen a few posters here, who like me, have not receive their ESA50 when expected.

Is it just that we can surmise from people here saying their ESA50 is overdue that
there are possible off-the-record deferrals by Maximus/ DWP to take pressure off themselves for a time due to a backlog/ being overwhelmed? So that deferrals without notification could be seen as 'delays'?

Why wouldn't they say...as the did last time (I think)? Or, am I being naive?

Thanks, anyhow, Gordon.
Ps. I posted this question on another poster's message before starting a thread myself, so please ignore now you have answered here.