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ESA application - Fit note query

Simon76

I am going to help my brother apply for new style ESA and I read that in the initial application stage it will ask what date you want to claim ESA from, and that this will need to match the date on the fit note.

We don't yet have the fit note and don't know what date the doctor will backdate it to. My brother has been too ill to work since Feb last year but the doctor may put a different date.

Do we need to get the fit note before applying so that we can ensure the date on the note matches the date we state we want to claim from? I'm not sure at what stage of the application the fit note needs to be submitted.

Thanks

Sim

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Simon76

Oh sorry, I just read that you need the fit note when you apply so that answers my question.

I have a follow-up question: is there any advantage to getting a fit note back-dated to Feb last year? i.e. is there a time limit on how far back you can claim from?

poppy123456

The maximum time it can be backdated for is 3 months. For a backdated claim for 3 months he will need to have worked at some point in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23. This will apply up until the first Saturday in January. From the first Sunday in January the tax years change to 2022/23 and 2023/24.

The ESA can't be paid at the same time as SSP so if he was claiming that from an employer within the last 3 months ESA will only start 7 days after SSP ended.

Simon76

Thanks Poppy. I see. He worked in 23/24 but not for a few years before that and not since, so looks like he won't be eligible, except for NI credits maybe

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @Simon76, welcome to the community 😊 I hope your question has been answered now, if you are still unsure of anything please just ask!

You must be a really good sibling to help with filling out your brother's form. It's always good when family help each other out.

You can read more about ESA here: Employment and Support Allowance | Disability charity Scope UK

Simon76

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977047#Comment_977047

Thank you very much for your kind words and the useful link.

poppy123456

There’s no harm in applying to see what they say.

Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit? It’s a means tested benefit so if he lives with a partner he will need to claim as a couple. If they have capital (savings) of more than £16,000 they will be excluded from claiming. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

If it shows entitlement he should report his health condition and provide a fit note within 7 days. He must continue to provide fit notes without any gaps until a decision is made on the work capability assessment.

If both of the above benefits are claimed together and there’s entitlement to payments for ESA it will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Simon76

Thank you Poppy. He is not eligible for UC due to savings he inherited but he keeps them and lives off money from our parents. Looks like he will never be eligible for ESA either as he has never held a job long enough to accumulate the necessary NI contributions and might never be able to. Will apply for it anyway and see what happens.