ESA CB I filled out medical assessment papers for Feb and still haven't had a WCA. Is this normal?

Bogtrotter

I’ve been on contribution based esa since Jan 2021 my claim was backdated until Oct 2020 . I filled out the medical assessment papers for Feb and still haven’t had a WCA . Is this normal ? 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

It is normal in current circumstances as there are huge delays for assessments at present 

poppy123456

Hi,

Do be aware that your payments will end once you've reached 1 year but you'll continue to receive NI credits. Once you've been assessed, if you're placed into the Support Group then your payments will start back again and you'll receive any money that's owed.

Have you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? It's a means tested benefit so if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming.

You can also ring the health assessment advisory srvice to ask how much longer you'll be waiting. Details here.

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/

Bogtrotter

I’ve just rang the health advisory centre up and very unhelpful they were . All they said was they were I’d be assessed in due course . I’d hope I’m put into the support group I’ve an inoperable brain tumour that now has caused me to give up work . 

poppy123456

I'm sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, there's huge backlogs and some are waiting a considerable amount of time for an appointment. Face to face assessments have started back again for some people so they could be waiting for an appointment to become available for this.