Stages of the process

Rheumgirl59

I had my claimant commitment meeting this week and have sent off my fit note. They want to see me again today but I don't know why. I only know it is with a different person. Does anyone know what it might be about as I don't really understand why. 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Rheumgirl59 how was your meeting yesterday?  

Rheumgirl59

The lady was very nice. It was really similar to the previous interview to be honest. I think it is a waiting game now. I had the medical form come in the post and the care adviser from the gp is coming to help with that. It was lucky I had the appointment though because she looked online and said they were waiting for my fit note even though I had a text receipt for it. She said she would scan it and send it for me so that was helpful. I'm just waiting to see what happens next 😀 thank you for asking. 

Alex_Alumni

You're welcome, I'm glad it was a good meeting and the lady was very nice and helpful, that really makes a difference doesn't it  

Rheumgirl59

Definitely just hoping the payments will start soon 🤣🤣

L_Volunteer

I hope the payments will start soon too @Rheumgirl59. How are you feeling about everything at the moment? 

Rheumgirl59

Thank you. Yes she said once they had acted on the fit note it should be fairly quick to start the payments. So far it has been quicker than the pip process. I am quite relaxed. I am in the extremely fortunate position of getting the pip money so I have an income to tide me over. 
I did an awful lot of research before starting the process, mainly using information from this site. So I had a fair bit of knowledge already in my head to be able to query them if I thought they were wrong. You have all been very helpful, thank you. 

L_Volunteer

It sounds positive that it should be fairly quick soon @Rheumgirl59 and that you are quite relaxed. I can hear how having an income to tide you over is a relief in the meantime 

Rheumgirl59

Thank you, unfortunately it took a downturn. When I applied originally I forgot to mention a little job that I do a couple of hours a month from home. Genuine error. I mentioned it at the job centre and they gave me a pw1 form to complete which I filled in and sent. Got a phone call from esa last week from a person who was really quite unpleasant telling me that's not how we should do things and I shouldn't have forgotten to mention it. I tried to explain I forgot to mention it because it is really a favour I do to help 2 friends. Obviously I apologised but it was a very humiliating experience. Haven't been told off since school! She said she would continue to process it now so I am still waiting to hear. Have a care adviser visiting this week to help me with the medical form so fingers crossed. Almost wishing I hadn't applied now as will probably only qualify for one year and will lose some because of my private pension anyway. Never mind many are in a far worse situation. 

L_Volunteer

Oh no @Rheumgirl59. Really sorry to hear it, unfortunately, took a downturn  Definitely not what you would want!

Even if others are "in a far worse situation", I want to let you know that this doesn't detract from your experience or your feelings.

Although it is important to try and tell them accurate and up-to-date information, I can completely hear how you forgot to mention it. 

I can really hear how this was a humiliating experience for you. I hope it is processed and you hear soon - hopefully, this will be reassuring.

Best of luck with having a care adviser visit this week to help you with the medical form. I hope this goes well for you.

Please feel free to let us know how this goes and if you need any further support in the meantime 

poppy123456

Rheumgirl59 said:

 Almost wishing I hadn't applied now as will probably only qualify for one year and will lose some because of my private pension anyway. Never mind many are in a far worse situation. 

New style ESA is time limited to 1 year of payments unless placed into the Support Group and then it's paid for as long as you remain entitled to it. You can see the descriptors for Support Group here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/support-group-descriptors

Any pension of up to £85/week is ignored. For every £1/week over this amount there's a deduction of 50p/week for your ESA.

Rheumgirl59

I have had one payment and don’t really understand how it was calculated. If it was based on the weekly assessment rate they said I would get then it doesn’t go back to the date of my claim. I have now filled in and sent back the medical form. Am I right in thinking if approved they will check what I have received and make any necessary adjustments?

poppy123456

ESA isn’t paid for the first 7 days of your claim so this maybe why your payment isn’t what you expected. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/claiming-new-style-esa/

The decision on your work capability assessment could take several months. Unless you automatically qualify for Support Group then you will likely need to have an assessment, which is usually by telephone. 

Once the decision is made if placed into the Support Group then your money increases from week 14 of your claim. If a decision takes longer than this then you will be owed some money.

If placed into the WRAG then payments will stop after 1 year. Fit for work then payments just stop. 

You can see the descriptors here for Support Group. It says LCWRA but it’s exactly the same. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

Rheumgirl59

Thank you for your quick reply. You are always there for people. Is the claim start date when you make the very first approach to them? I sent my fit note and then they asked for a backdated fit note to when I first applied, which I sent. My worry is they paid against the first one which didn’t go back far enough. I guess they will check eventually. Hoping to avoid an assessment but will just have to wait and see on that one!

poppy123456

It can be backdated for up to 3 months, if you were entitled to it at that time. If you think the payment you received is incorrect you'll need to ring them.

Most people have assessments, which are usually by telephone.

Rheumgirl59

Thank you for your help