How long is a normal wait for financial assessment?

spudgun

In January my ESA was suspended due to my 'not having provided information'. As far as I was concerned I had provided all the information requested. This seems to date back to 2019 when I had £6600 in my account, however much of this was used to purchase items and decoration as I had just moved into more appropriate accommodation, so I was only over the threshold for a period of weeks. I have found ESA was at a reduced amount up until the suspension due to the belief that I still had this. I have been asked for bank statements since 2019 and these were provided. Unfortunately the statements did not cover three days which they wished to see, they have informed me a letter was sent in November last year re this, I do not recall having received this letter. As a result they suspended ESA in January and as soon as I found out why, which took a few weeks to find out, a statement for the missing period was sent (a total of 5 times) eventually e-mailed by citizens advice before being acknowledged as received. At which point I was asked for up to date bank statements for the period since the last request, these again e-mailed. Citizens advice informed me that the case was with a decision maker on 17th May and that it is now just a waiting game. I am getting more and more into debt, I have not received cost of living payments and my life has basically shut down, my diet is rubbish, I don't do anything as I have no money. My only luxury is the internet and in a couple of weeks I don't think the payment will go through. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a decision on this? 

L_Volunteer

This sounds really difficult @spudgen Unfortunately, I do not know how long it takes to get a decision on this. Hopefully, one of our wonderful community members will know.

In the meantime, do you feel able to reach out to Citizens Advice to ask them? I can see you have had ongoing contact with Citizens Advice and I wonder if they might have a clearer idea.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. I really hope things improve for you soon 

spudgun

Thanks for the comment.
Citizens advice e-mailed ESA on 17th May and were told that it is with the decision makers and that it is now a waiting game, but they were unable to give any idea of timescale. CA offered a debt advisor to look at getting agreements to allow me more room. My issues with this is if I contact to defer payments my credit will be impacted and with all the evidence supporting my not having savings I can't see how there is any doubt that ESA should be reinstated, and I keep telling myself this has to get sorted soon. While I just don't have the energy to go through all the hoops this entails. I can't get my head around this as when the money went into my account due to overdraft the most I was ever over the savings threshold was £124, this for one day, as a result, it has come to light I was on reduced esa for over two years with them taking it that I had the full £6600 for this period, while due to the suspension I have not received cost of living payments and esa suspended for 6 months. 

Hannah_Alumni

I'm so sorry to hear that it has been so stressful for you @spudgun Have you had any updates since you last posted? 

spudgun

As of Thursday my ESA went in at the full rate with nothing back dated. I don't know if they have just not worked out what I am due or if I will not have anything backdated, I have not received any mail regarding this, I hope something will come soon, but I did  receive on Friday, a new ESA50 work capability assessment letter (so more stress). 

Hannah_Alumni

@spudgun Citizen's Advice have information pages on filling out the forms and will be able to support you. We are here if you need to vent too  

I hope you hear back about the ESA soon. I have seen members are waiting a little longer in terms of letters at the moment. 

spudgun

Thank you.

poppy123456

Best thing to do is ring them to ask for an update.

spudgun

Got word yesterday, it is now sorted and the decision went my way and money will be backdated 6 months. 

Adrian_Scope

Great news @spudgun, I'm pleased it worked out for you!  

spudgun

In bank today and just ordered enough heating oil to get me through the whole of next winter; I ran out in Jan and I don't want a repeat of that, being broke, unwell and freezing is not a place I wish to revisit! I still can't help thinking about how clear it was that the suspension was in error from the start and how many problems it caused, how badly it impacted my health, the extra costs it caused and how terrible the whole period has been. There appears to be no understanding that this bland, administrative process has huge implications for those on the receiving end.