ESA Assessment stage reclaims

Hi,

I am still in the Assessment (pre-WCA) stage for ESA (I have been so for over 18 months - thus I now receive income-related ESA). I am considering going back to work, but am not sure how I will cope physically, and am aware of the possibility that I may have to reclaim ESA if it turns out that I am not up to working.

Are there any limitations on my reclaiming ESA, given my situation, if I do go back into employment?

Thanks in advance.

hablitza tamnoides wrote: Hi,

I am still in the Assessment (pre-WCA) stage for ESA (I have been so for over 18 months - thus I now receive income-related ESA). I am considering going back to work, but am not sure how I will cope physically, and am aware of the possibility that I may have to reclaim ESA if it turns out that I am not up to working.

Are there any limitations on my reclaiming ESA, given my situation, if I do go back into employment?

Thanks in advance.

Hi ht,

Once you have formally closed your ESA claim in writing and started work, there is a 12 week linking rule.

As long as you re-claim within that 12 week period you should be placed back into The Assessment Phase as a rapid-reclaim.

bro58

Many thanks bro58, that's really helpful.

Just to check: if I find I have to give up work due to my health worsening, but this happens after 12 weeks have elapsed, does this mean I can still reclaim ESA, albeit my claim will just be dealt with afresh and not as a 'rapid reclaim' - ?

hablitza tamnoides wrote: Many thanks bro58, that's really helpful.

Just to check: if I find I have to give up work due to my health worsening, but this happens after 12 weeks have elapsed, does this mean I can still reclaim ESA, albeit my claim will just be dealt with afresh and not as a 'rapid reclaim' - ?

Hi ht,

Yes, that's correct,

If more than 12 weeks have elapsed since you closed your ESA claim, you would have to make a totally fresh ESA claim from scratch.

bro58