Severe disabilty premium

trree70
trree70 Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
edited April 15 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

HHi Everyone I rang esa on the 11 of march filled in a form to claim the severe premium of esa.

19th rang up to see if they needed anymore information the woman hadn't even done the form, so I redid it again.i was told I would hear within 5 days.

I heard nothing so rang up 7 days later and was told it was with the decision maker and I will hear soon.

I rang up last week and was told it was being processed but no update to rong back Monday, 14 th of April.

I was told no update on system and as I get paid on the 15th someone would ring me back on the 14th to see if it could be added to my esa straight away.

I waited to 5pm noone rang.

I rang them instead and the woman said I will get a call back in 7 working days not today and she doesn't know why the other agent said I would get a call back today.

I have my migration letter for the 10 of July.

I have been told 5 days, 2 weeks and today told I should hear within 4 to 5 weeks of putting in the claim.

It's the 4th week this week.

I just feel they are fobbing me off.

Will they still pay me what they owe me if I have migrated to uc before it's sorted?

I'm so anxious I just need it sorting.

Should I wait the 7 working days then ring back? Or go citizens advice for help?

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Comments

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 264 Empowering

    Do you have a migration notice? What is the date by which you need to apply for UC?

    I can only empathise with the frustration you are feeling around communication with ESA. I've had zero problems with any other government agency - PIP, SSS, HMRC etc. - when I've dealt with them.

    ESA, on the other hand appear to have a morale problem, poor training, inadequate systems/processes, uncommitted management, or a combination of all the above.

    They are, as my wee Gran used to say, a shambolic mess.

  • trree70
    trree70 Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    Hi my migration letter says by the 10th of July.

    It's frustrating because every time I have rang back I get a completely different answer.

    5 days, 2 weeks, ring today, get a call back and nothing.

    I was told by 1 agent I do qualify for sdp.

    It's 4 weeks this week and now been told to wait 7 working days and ring back

    It was with the decision maker, then it was bring processed but no updates on system

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 264 Empowering

    That's good that your migration date is a wee bit away.

    As I said, it's truly a frustrating task trying to get any sense/action out of ESA staff.

    That said, I tend to believe the 4/5 week turn around is more realistic than 2 weeks.

    I get how frustrating it is, but I'd probably leave it until next week to ask them again, as that's five weeks and the end of reasonable turn around time.

    It also gives you enough time to submit your migration application and you'll be able to include the SDP element (assuming it is approved).

    Good luck whatever you decide to do x

  • EnjoyDM
    EnjoyDM Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Commiserations agree ESA are poorly trained and staff give conflicting information think once you get UC Application in on time DWP will sort out and you'll get a notification of migration and payment date (mine took five weeks) plus letter from ESA outlining their workings and SDP

    Try not to worry too much any reasonable landlord, mortgage lender, essential bills supplier should give you 'breathing space'

    Good luck!

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