Applied for new style ESA

berry61

Hello everyone,

I did post about this in a previous thread and @poppy123456 did reply with some sound advice at the time.

I hadn't heard from DWP about my ESA since I applied on line on the 15th July ( 3 months before ssp ends), so I contacted them as poppy suggested closer to the time of my ssp ending which is the 28th sept (week 28).

The person at ESA said my application had been received and will be processed on the 20th September but he did say I had to send in my current fit note which is due to end on the 9th Sept , so i have done that and received acknowledgement.

I'm going to contact my employer on the 20th Sept for my ssp1 form that I also need to send in, and I will also put a note on my UC journal on the 20th Sept to inform them I have applied for esa as poppy said I would need to.

I won't be returning to my job once ssp ends but I'm owed holiday pay. Do I send my employer my notice once ssp ends and whilst im waiting for ESA assessment to be done. We receive UC as a couple and i receive LCWRA and pip standard daily living and mobility.

I was previously self employed for 31 years and have worked for this employer for 4 years so I'm not familiar with employee entitlement and rules etc.

Thanks

poppy123456

You won't need another assessment for ESA because you already had one for UC and were found to have LCWRA, you need to tell them this. I believe you will still need to wait 14 weeks for your ESA to increase to £138.20 but it doesn't make any difference anyway because the ESA is just deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Before handing in your notice with your employer you may want to get some expert advice from ACAS because I wouldn't usually advise anyone to just hand their notice in.

berry61

Thanks poppy,

I will contact ACAS tomorrow and get some advice about this. When contacting UC on my journal to tell them about ESA will that be entered under "change" and i think it asks for the date the change happened what date do I enter the date I applied for ESA or when my assessment is on the 20th Sept

Thanks as usual poppy

poppy123456

You don't need to do anything yet for UC because you don't know what date exactly your ESA starts. It will not start until 7 days after your SSP ends due to the 7 days waiting period. Once you have a letter from ESA and you know more details then report the changes to UC. ESA should contact them anyway.

I don't understand what you mean by " ESA assessment on 20th September" there's no assessment.

berry61

Hello poppy,

Think I may have used the wrong terminology, he meant my application for esa was due to be processed on the 20th.

Thanks again

poppy123456

Ah ok, thanks, that’s easy to do. You will receive a decision letter at some point but it maybe a few weeks after your SSP ends.

You will also have an appointment with a work coach to agree to your commitments.

berry61

Hi Poppy,

I've just rang ESA this morning after you told me to inform them that i have been awarded LCWRA after a WCA. The lady was very helpful she updated my records and just told me to send the ssp1 form once I have it.

Take care & thanks again for your advice.

Albus_Alumni

Ah brilliant, congratulations @berry61 that must be a huge relief?

berry61

Hi, it certainly is poppy.

It has been a big learning curve for me regards the benefits system since my operation in march 24 , and its all been down to yourself and others on this forum for the advice that you give out.

You all do an amazing job in helping others

Thank You

berry61

Sorry Albus,

I've only just realised it was a reply from yourself.

Thanks

Albus_Alumni

Haha, not a problem at all @berry61 it was quite a flattering mistake. 😊

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/906057#Comment_906057

That's good to know. For the avoidance of doubt, you didn't have a WCA for ESA, the reason they've applied the Support Group/LCWRA to your claim was because you were found to have LCWRA by UC. I didn't expect you to need to send fit notes, which I'm sure I advised at the start.

Glad it's sorted and you should receive the decision letter within the next few weeks.

berry61

Thanks Poppy,

I remember you saying I didn't need to send a fit note to ESA in a previous thread, but the gentleman on the phone at ESA helpline just said I need to send my latest fit note which I have done but i wont need to send anymore , I still get them to send my employer.

Thanks again

poppy123456

You're welcome .Yes, the helpline call centre staff often give incorrect information. I'm glad you've now been informed correctly that no fit notes are needed.