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ESA Contribution - How Long Does it Take

Kittyc

I've just applied for ESA contribution as I have a private pension. How long does the whole process take. I am hoping that I might be able to go into a support group. I have a letter from a clinic advising me that I should not work. I got retired through redundancy from last job. I also have a 10 year PIP award high care, low mobility and also got the PIP assessors report. I am hoping the work capability is easier than PIP. I am deaf so really struggled with the assessors phone call. The report made me sound soooo bad :) Any advice appreciated. Never does this before, been struggling to work.

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poppy123456

Potentially a few weeks maybe longer. You will need a fit note also, if you haven’t already sent one.

You will have a telephone appointment first to agree to your claimant commitments. Once that is done you will receive a decision letter telling you whether there’s any entitlement to payments.

I’m assuming that when you claimed you told them about your pension? Any pension of up to £85/week is ignored. For every £1 over that amount your ESA is reduced by 50p week.

You will at some point receive the ESA50 form which you will need to fill in and return with all your supporting evidence. This process may take several months.

Kittyc

I've only done the initial form and fit note. That form mentioned nothing about my pension, I will of course tell them about my pension on the form. Thanks for letting me know about the months, so not as long as PIP which was nearly a year. Thank you

Kittyc

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/865461#Comment_865461

I would have expected that form to ask about any pensions you receive. You will need to contact ESA to tell them. Even if it’s less than £85/week it still needs to be reported.

Kittyc

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/865473#Comment_865473

It will be when I have the correct form. This form was the initial one to see if I was entitled. I then therefore have to go to the Job Centre and this will be the form that will tell them about my pension. If you look at the initial form at Govt website- it does not mention about money questions either savings or pension.

poppy123456

I’m only going by this form here which on page 12 it asks about pensions. It doesn’t ask about capital/savings because New style ESA is not means tested so those are irrelevant. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f01f4048badd86adab717b9/t/5f369acd7f0ef516c1d2213f/1597414093887/Employment%2BSupport%2BAllowance%2BNew%2BStyle%2BClaim%2BForm.pdf

Kittyc

No it wasnt nothing like that - I filled this one in https://www.apply-new-style-employment-support-allowance.service.gov.uk/who-is-applying

I should imagine that will be the next one I fill in. No mention of anything at all. I went through the form on entitledto a couple of times and was expecting those questions. When I get my interview I will take everything with me.

Kittyc

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/865533#Comment_865533

Thinik that is a really old form as it says March 2019 on it.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/865536#Comment_865536

I can’t view that form without putting in my details, which I don’t want to do.

Kittyc

This is the updated form and is slightly different. You can view it if you put in some random answers. The link to the other form is from pre covid. I think you know go into the job centre to fill in your commitment. Just really wanted to find out how long the process would take.

poppy123456

I can't put some random information in the form because it asks for NI number and if I put random numbers in it won't accept that.

I did advise in my first comment how long it could potentially take. I will say though that the letter you have saying you're unable to work isn't helpful if that's all it says. You will need to provide more evidence than that. Part of your evidence will be the ESA50 form that you will need to fill out. When you return that you need to make sure any supporting evidence is sent with the form. You can see the form here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capability-for-work-questionnaire

You can also use that form but please do not send it to the assessment providers until you receive that form in the post. If you send it before then they will just ignore that form.

Kittyc

Thanks Poppy. My letter goes into great detail about my illness and the PIP assessors report is very interesting to say the least lol

Does anyone have any experience about long the process takes from start to what group you are put into?

Kittyc

Hadnt finished the question but I am hoping it doesnt take as long as a year like PIP.

poppy123456

No problem. Based on many other threads anything up to several months. I know you’re looking for specific timescales but please remember that all areas will have different waiting times. Some may have a decision within a few months and others will be longer.