IB to ESA time frame

I have just been informed that I will be transferred from IB to ESA, and I will receive the necessary forms within the next 2 weeks.
Could someone give me an idea of the time scales involved. I am aware that I have 4 weeks to submit the forms. How long before a decision and how long before a medical. If I fail the medical how long before a tribunal hearing.
The reason that I ask these questions is that I will be 64years of age in October 2013 and from what I have seen tribunals take months to be completed. Could I reach 65 and retirement before the process is completed?.
My wife and I usually take a holiday in January/February – should I mention this.
I have just started to prepare my case and any help would be appreciated. I have had medicals before as I have been on IB since the 1990’s.

Hi Rokerender,

As you say, you will have 4 weeks to complete the ESA50 and get it submitted. Unfortunately, that is about the only time scale that is set in stone when it comes to ESA claims!

How long until they make a decision?

It can take anything from a few weeks to some months before you hear from anyone after submitting the ESA50. If you do have to undergo a face2face assessment you are entitled to at least 7 days notice, then you should get a decision within a few weeks afterwards. If you don't have a f2f then the first thing you will hear will be the decision letter from DWP.

If the decision goes against you and you appeal a mandatory reconsideration will be carried out by another Decision Maker. Again, this can take anything from a few weeks to some months - my own recon took a full 6 months, which is at the extreme end of the spectrum!

If the reconsideration upholds the original decision and your case is forwarded to the Tribunal Service then again, it could take some months for the case to be heard.

So, it is possible that you would have reached 65 before an appeal was heard. If this were the case the appeal would go ahead but any payment would be calculated to finish on the date you reach State Pension age.

Now that you know the process is starting, you can get ahead of the game by filling in the PDF version of the form

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Don't assume that DWP/ATOS have any prior knowledge of your condition and don't make the mistake of thinking that ESA requirements are similar to those of IB as they are much more stringent.

I suggest that you make good use of the resources available on this site including -

IB/IS/SDA transfer FAQs

ESA FAQs

ESA claims and appeals

There is a lot of information to take in. It is a good idea to make this topic/thread a favourite on your web browser, or bookmark it, so that you can find it easily in future. Then you can return to ask further questions and we will have the benefit of all the information being in the same place