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Sent back my WC form. How long until I hear back? How long do I need to send fit notes for?

D1985

Hi I have sent back my form for work capability, which they have received. How long is the wait now to hear back from them please?

My other question is how long do I need to send fit notes for please?
I noticed online that it states 13 weeks from when you first ring and claim, esa then sort it all not the Drs fit notes... Is this right?

Kind regards

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Comments

calcotti

Waiting times for assessments vary but are longer at the moment due to a backlog. Normally they would be done within the first thirteen weeks. You will need to provide continuous Fit Notes until a decision on the Work Capability Assessment has been made.

D1985

Thank you for replying.

So I could be waiting months then?

Is there a number that I can ring to ask? if I leave it a while longer and have still not heard anything I could then contact them.

calcotti

Even pre pandemic people typically waited a couple of months for the assessment (assuming one is needed). You will be paid the assessment rate while waiting or the assessment. You cannot be paid the Support Group until the fourteenth week anyway.

D1985

So not everyone has an assessment?

What is the support group please? And is that 14 weeks from when you first claimed?

calcotti

Suggest you read about ESA here
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#work-capability-assessment
During the assessment phase you will be paid £74.70/week (if you meet the NI conditions).
If you are put into the Support Group (Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity) you will get £114.10/week and the award can continue indefinitely. If you are not put into the Support Group but do have Limited Capability for Work you will continue to receive £74.70 but the award will end after 12 months.

poppy123456

D1985 said:

So not everyone has an assessment?

Most people do. Paper based assessments are rare. See link for Support Group descriptors.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

Some people are waiting several months for an assessment. If you need one it will either be telephone or face face, most are telephone but some people have had face to face recently.

calcotti

D1985 said:

So not everyone has an assessment?

What is the support group please? And is that 14 weeks from when you first claimed?

Certain health conditions (primarily cancer patients who are having, about to receive or recovering from radiotherapy/chemotherapy) are automatically entitled to be treated as having LCWRA so do not have an assessment (but still have to return the ESA50/UC50 form).