ESA Telephone appointment sms received - confused!

BlindBat

Brief history:-

Applied for PIP in August.
Applied for JSA in August.

Attended my local job centre on the 30th August for my initial JSA appointment where the very helpful lady advised me that it should be the ESA (and likely support group) benefit I should be getting. I completed the online ESA form and uploaded my GP sick note (back dated to 1st July).

Then nothing. So yesterday I called ESA. They apologised and told me there was a problem their end in that my claim was still attached to JSA and they had requested JSA to release me(!?!). They said they would chase JSA again.

Then this morning I have just received an sms from DWP saying that my ESA telephone appointment will be next week at a given time. No other information.

Please can someone explain what this call is likely to be? I.e. is it a telephone medical assessment?

I have not received any benefit payments to date (no JSA, no ESA and no PIP, which I know is separate, is in progress). I have received no ESA forms such as the ESA50. Nothing.

thanks in advance!

BlindBat

Apologies, the sms does mention that the appointment is to accept a claimant commitment. Should I have received anything bahead of this?

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/911632#Comment_911632

Hi,

I assume this is New Style ESA you're claiming because of recent employment over the past couple of years?

If so, that is correct, you will need to accept the claimant commitment before going any further in the process.

BlindBat

Thank you. Yes it’s the new style ESA and yes I was working up until earlier this year.

I assume the commitment questions are going to be fair? I.e. I can’t sign up to certain things due to my disability. I’m trying to Google what the commitment statements are!

OverlyAnxious

Yes, the main commitment is just to say you'll inform them of any change in circumstances as soon as possible. That's the same for all of us on UC, JSA and NS ESA.

Your work coach may decide on some other commitments specifically for your situation. Though if you're likely to be placed in the Support Group based on current circumstances, I wouldn't expect any other commitments in this case.

You will be asked about how your health conditions affect your ability to work in order to help your work coach understand the situation before creating those commitments.