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Understanding my ESA decision letter
- mel0308
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2 years 9 months ago #269637 by mel0308
Understanding my ESA decision letter was created by mel0308
Hi ,
Firstly, a huge thank you to Benefits and Work - despite a very long wait for my assessment, I got my letter today saying I have been put into the ESA support group! However, I have a couple of questions about how my benefit has been worked out:
I claimed new style ESA in August 2021, and it was back-dated for 3 months to May 2021. I received £74.70 a week. I started receiving my occupational ill-health pension in September 2021, but the DWP were slow in stopping my payments (despite me telling them straight way) and they paid me up to 6th Dec 2021. The letter says I would have been entitled to £74.70 up to 6th Dec 2021, but surely this should be at the higher rate after the first 13 weeks/assessment period? I am assuming that May to August would count as part of the 13 week assessment period so I would have been entitled to £111.10 from August to Dec 2021 if I have been placed into the support group?
Also, my letter does not say how long it will be before I will be reviewed. Should the letter say?
Will they tell my GP I have been put into the support group? Or do I need to tell my GP? (I have also applied for PIP and I’m waiting to be assessed).
Finally, it doesn’t say if I need to continue to send in sick notes. Do I still have to do this if I have been put into the support group?
I don’t want to phone DWP as I really struggle to talk to them on the phone and can’t remember what they have said afterwards due to my dissociation and PTSD. Thank you again for all the advice and support and if anyone can answer my questions I be really grateful!
Mel0308
Firstly, a huge thank you to Benefits and Work - despite a very long wait for my assessment, I got my letter today saying I have been put into the ESA support group! However, I have a couple of questions about how my benefit has been worked out:
I claimed new style ESA in August 2021, and it was back-dated for 3 months to May 2021. I received £74.70 a week. I started receiving my occupational ill-health pension in September 2021, but the DWP were slow in stopping my payments (despite me telling them straight way) and they paid me up to 6th Dec 2021. The letter says I would have been entitled to £74.70 up to 6th Dec 2021, but surely this should be at the higher rate after the first 13 weeks/assessment period? I am assuming that May to August would count as part of the 13 week assessment period so I would have been entitled to £111.10 from August to Dec 2021 if I have been placed into the support group?
Also, my letter does not say how long it will be before I will be reviewed. Should the letter say?
Will they tell my GP I have been put into the support group? Or do I need to tell my GP? (I have also applied for PIP and I’m waiting to be assessed).
Finally, it doesn’t say if I need to continue to send in sick notes. Do I still have to do this if I have been put into the support group?
I don’t want to phone DWP as I really struggle to talk to them on the phone and can’t remember what they have said afterwards due to my dissociation and PTSD. Thank you again for all the advice and support and if anyone can answer my questions I be really grateful!
Mel0308
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- BIS
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2 years 9 months ago #269641 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Understanding my ESA decision letter
Hi Mel0308
Congratulations on a successful assessment for ESA. Part of your question about what exactly you are entitled to when, you will need to chase up with the DWP, because it's something we can't answer.
ESA decision letters often don't say when the review is and if there is no mention you can expect it to be in three years' time.
The only time the DWP communicates with a doctor is to gain information - they won't inform them of the result of any claimant's benefits.
You won't have to send in sick notes if you are in the support group.
BIS
Congratulations on a successful assessment for ESA. Part of your question about what exactly you are entitled to when, you will need to chase up with the DWP, because it's something we can't answer.
ESA decision letters often don't say when the review is and if there is no mention you can expect it to be in three years' time.
The only time the DWP communicates with a doctor is to gain information - they won't inform them of the result of any claimant's benefits.
You won't have to send in sick notes if you are in the support group.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: mel0308, Paul1000
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