ESA Payment Late

ionosphere
ionosphere Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
I’ve been claiming Income-Related ESA since 2017, and I’m in the support group.

My fortnightly payment has until now always gone in at 00:01 on Wednesday at the latest, often as early as 23:59 on Tuesday, but I haven’t received it today. 

The only thing that’s changed is that I’ve just been awarded Adult Disability Payment on March 14, and I called DWP the day I got the letter — Friday, March 17 — to apply for the Severe Disability Premium; I was told it’d take five working days. 

I’ve not heard anything back, nor have I gotten the back payment I’d be due if I was awarded SDP, and now my regular ESA hasn’t gone in, either! I’m at a loss as to what might’ve happened.

I am planning on calling DWP as soon as the phone lines open, but this is all extremely stressful and I would like to find out what could possibly be going on; I’m worried I won’t be able to fall asleep if I don’t have any idea as to what the reasonable explanation here is. 

Thank you!

Comments

  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited March 2023
    It's likely your ESA hasn't been paid due to a clerical issue, this is especially common when you have recently been awarded a new benefit,(it's caused by your file becoming too large and the computer system can't cope and automatic payments stop). It's also possible that the SDP being added to your ESA has temporarily suspended your benefit since your payment amounts will change. You will need to contact ESA when they open as they will not know that you haven't been paid, they should sent a payment straight to your account, it usually takes a few hours to recieve payment although they advise it will usually be before midnight. 


  • ionosphere
    ionosphere Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    Thank you for the reply! 

    As it turns out, they’re in the middle of recalculating my benefit entitlement because I’ve been awarded ADP; I’m waiting on a phonecall from the Benefits department, who’ll be able to give me more information. 
  • ionosphere
    ionosphere Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    A brief update: it’s all been sorted out, just unexpected stress as I forgot they informed me my ESA might be temporarily stopped. I have a very poor memory as a result of the the things I’m claiming ADP for. 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Thank you for keeping us in the loop with how things are for you at the moment @ionosphere. It sounds positive that it has all been sorted out.

    However, I can hear you have unexpected stress. Would anything, in particular, help you to reduce your stress at the moment and make things feel more manageable? 

    Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to support you. We are all here for you and listening to you  :)

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