ESA descion taking 12 weeks?

woolywonder

Change of circumstances. Reported to ESA and ESA  3 form sent in. Was told today to alter your claim takes 12 weeks. Is this right? I've known in the past it to be done in a week or so. My indefinite sick note is already with them and I've been on esa for 9 years. 

poppy123456

There's no timescales for this. I'm not clear why you've sent the fit note as this will not be needed when filling out the ESA3 form, as this is a form that will assess you for the Income Related top up. Not an assessment for a new work capability assessment.

woolywonder

The form mentions a potential medical assessment or work capability assessment  hence I knew ESA might go down that road and spoke to my GP and although I haven't had to send fit notes for years 9 years into a claim I thought it apt to show my Gp thought the same in an updated way 

poppy123456

woolywonder said:

The form mentions a potential medical assessment or work capability assessment 

That's because it's a standard form. You will not need another WCA. The ESA3 form is purely to assess your financial circumstances for the Income Related top up.

woolywonder

Well spoke to a delightful person at ESA today who told me the rules state the benefits office has 3 working days to process your claim. Bit different to yesterday's 12 weeks and this person sounded like she knew her stuff having been doing it 30 years 

poppy123456

I would take what they tell you with a pinch of salt. You’re speaking to someone from a call centre who often tell you what you want to hear. 

jaffacake

I’m still waiting for mine it’s nearly 19 weeks ,it’s disgusting the way there treating people and some of the staff are so rude. 

My case as been going since end of may beginning of June so stressful.