ESA

Hi new to this do not no what I'm doing I get higher rate DLA but now I'm told I've got to fill forms in for incapacity that is changing to ESA, one thing says u don't need to if ya in receipt of DLA then some one else says u do, completely lost with all of this.

Freddie45 wrote: Hi new to this do not no what I'm doing I get higher rate DLA but now I'm told I've got to fill forms in for incapacity that is changing to ESA, one thing says u don't need to if ya in receipt of DLA then some one else says u do, completely lost with all of this.

Hi F45,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

It looks like we starting from scratch then.

All recipients are being transferred over from IB, IS or SDA this has been going on since March 2011, and it should have been completed by Spring 2014.

However, as The DWP/ATOS have huge backlogs, they have not completed the national transfer of all claimants over to ESA.

Some of the recipients above may have been PCA Exempt due to being in receipt of Care Component DLA, or for other reasons.

There are no such exemptions with ESA, and all of the above will have to be assessed under The ESA Work Capability Assessment. (WCA)

Have a read through this document :

"Being transferred from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance. A 22 page guide to the transfer process."

At the top of this page :

ESA Claims Guides

As you will see you should first receive a letter, then a phone call, (which you don't have to take) then the ESA50 Questionnaire.

As it seems that you have received the ESA50 Questionnaire, you must fill it in and return it to ATOS by the deadline given.

You may wish to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the ESA Claims Guides 3rd and 4th links on the same page as above :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

It may also help, if you read through our :

IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s

And our :

ESA FAQ’s

It may seem a lot to take in, so you might wish to Favourite/Bookmark this page, so that you can revisit it easily.

You can then pose any further queries, as and when they crop up by replying to the topic.

bro58

Hi everyone, I finally filled my ESA form in and returned it in July , they now say they don't need any further medical information and have now sent it to the Decision Maker, I've still heard nothing, does anyone no how long this takes, worrying myself stupid . Thanks

Hi F45,

Thanks for the update, I have merged your post with your original topic for continuity.

It will now depend how much of a backlog the DWP DM Team dealing with your ESA has.

The only thing that you can do is ring the DWP for an update.

Many claimants across the forums on the internet are suffering longer than anticipated delays in receiving decisions on ESA, DLA and PIP.

The good news is that as you do not have to attend a face to face assessment, you can not be found fit for work.

It will therefore be an award of WRAG or SG for you.

bro58

So even tho I won't have a face to face assessment I cud still be put in the work related group, wouldn't that mean going for interviews at the job centre, sorry I sound really stupid about this but getting so confused, and if I am put in the WRAG group I cud loose my DLA.

Freddie45 wrote: So even tho I won't have a face to face assessment I cud still be put in the work related group, wouldn't that mean going for interviews at the job centre, sorry I sound really stupid about this but getting so confused, and if I am put in the WRAG group I cud loose my DLA.

Hi F45,

Yes, you can be placed into The WRAG or The SG on paper scrutiny alone, i.e. without a F2F.

If you were placed into the WRAG, you would have the right to appeal.

ESA WRAG awards do not normally have an adverse affect on an existing DLA Award. Sometimes fit for work decisions do.

Please update us when you receive a decision from The DWP DM, and we will take it from there.

bro58