Assessment period?

Seeking123

Hi Everyone. I'm sorry if this has been answered previously, but I okam new to claiming ESA and am a bit confused!
My SSP stopped recently and I applied for ESA. I had a phone conversation with a lady from the jobcentre who said I would receive some sort of form to fill in (which I had to send back within 1 month) but I haven't had this yet.
I've received a letter today telling me I will be getting contribution based ESA but as the doctor doesn't know if I will be able to return to work or not until I have had an op, do I need to challenge this or is it part of the assessment period that I've read about?
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated x

poppy123456

If you're under 25 the weekly amount is £59.20. If over 25 it's £74.70. The assessment period is 13 weeks, if placed into the Support Group your money will increase from the 14th week of your claim. Backdated if it takes longer than this (often it does)

Unless placed into the Support Group your payments will end after 1 year. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get

Seeking123

Thank you @poppy123456. I had read this but the letter didn't refer to an assessment period just that I could only claim for a year. 
I didn't want to accept it and then find I should have queried it if I go to the support group at a later date.

poppy123456

ESA letters are usually just basic information.

poppy123456

If you haven't seen the descriptors for the Support Group, you can see them here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

The ESA50 form can be seen here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975770/esa50-capability-for-work-questionnaire.pdf

Seeking123

@poppy123456 that's really helpful thank you. I guess that form is the one the job centre lady talked about. Just giving it a look over I should probably be on the support group anyway because of mobility/balance issues I already have. It's given me time to think before it arrives. 

poppy123456

Yes i would think it would be that form you were told about. For the moblising activity they do take into consideration your ability to use a self propel wheelchair so do be aware of that when filling out the form.

Seeking123

@poppy123456 I don't have a wheelchair but do use a mobility scooter. I would have liked a power hair if I went back to work because I'm embarrassed about the scooter but just can't afford one. As I have diabetic neuropathy/carpal tunnel in my hands/wrists I don't think I would be able to work a self propelled one 😕

poppy123456

It doesn't matter whether you have one or not, it's part of the criteria for the mobilising activity. Remember it's about the work you can do, rather than the work you can't do.

When filling out the form make sure you add a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the conseqences were.

Once you receive the form if you have any questions please do ask and i'm sure someone will advise you.

Seeking123

Will do. Thanks for your help x

calcotti

Seeking123 said:

.. a letter today telling me I will be getting contribution based ESA but as the doctor doesn't know if I will be able to return to work or not until I have had an op, do I need to challenge this or is it part of the assessment period that I've read about?

The bit about contribution based ESA just confirms that you meet the NI qualifying conditions to be entitled to ESA. (They should be referring to new style ESA rather than contribution based but it's effectively the same thing.)

You will not know whether or not you are in the Support group until you have been assessed. If you don't get the health questionnaire within a month of claiming give them a ring to check whether it has been sent out.

Seeking123

Thank you calcotte x