New Style ESA application timeline

Sharing my timeline in the hope that it helps others.

12/02/25 applied online.

Same day I received a text message to confirm they had received my application and that they would be in contact within 14 days.  They included a link to enable me to upload new Fit Notes.

21/02/25 I uploaded a new Fit Note using the online link and got a text message confirming receipt.

04/03/25 I received a text message informing me that I must take part in a New Style ESA telephone appointment on 07 March. They informed me it was to agree to my commitments and provided a telephone number to call if I could not make the appointment 

07/03/25 I had a Work coach session telephone appointment, the person was very nice and helpful and confirmed that I would get the ESA assessment rate.

A few days later  I received a copy of my claimant commitment in the post. 

11/03/25 I received Capability for Work Questionnaire in the post. 

They informed me that they must receive my completed questionnaire by 11 April 2025, stating that it could take 7 days to reach them (so basically I had about 3 weeks to complete it).  The form is massive 24 pages, but don’t be put off - a lot of it is tick box with spaces for details.  

The form tells you you can download the form and fill it in on your computer so I did this as my handwriting is illegible in part due to my disability.

I completed the form over the next few weeks, it was good to be able to save it and then do some more when I could.

There is an option for you to agree or decline for them to contact your GP.  I have my permission and I’m so glad I did as I think their response to the DWP was very helpful to support my claim.  The DWP contacted my GP directly, I didn’t have to do anything and I accessed a copy of the form my GP had completed and returned from my NHS app medical records.

21/03/25  I returned my completed ‘capability for work questionnaire’ to DWP.  It’s a shame that you can complete it on your computer but not send it to DWP online so we had to print it and post it to them.

11/04/25 I uploaded another Fit Note and got a text message confirmation that it had been received.

Very disappointingly and worryingly I received a couple of letters from DWP during this time, saying I had not submitted new Fit Notes and must do so by specific dates they set or they would stop my benefit and I may be required to attend a medical.  This was incredibly stressful because the date they said the Fit note had to be submitted by had already passed due to the date they sent their letter!  Fortunately I spoke with a helpful person at DWP who confirmed that my Fit notes had been received (I’d processed using their link) and he was very sorry for their error.  They had STOPPED my benefit! So he arranged an immediate same day payment which I gratefully received.

I was then waiting to hear from DWP about what happens next after receiving my completed questionnaire. I was worried as it all went quiet and I didn’t even know if they’d received it given it was sent by post. 

06/05/25 (six weeks later) I received a letter informing me that a telephone assessment had been arranged for me with a healthcare professional on 20 May to discuss my capability for work questionnaire

13/05 and 16/05/25 I had text messages reminding me of my telephone assessment appointment and informed that failure to attend may affect my benefit.

20/05/25 - Telephone assessment appointment day.  My appointment was cancelled by them on the day due to technical and staffing issues.

(SKIP this next bit if you don’t want to read the details)

TEL ASSESSMENT CANCELLED on the day:   My assessment was arranged for the afternoon. About half an hour before they were due to call I got a call from a freephone number. I was in bed as I was struggling with pain.  I had set my alarm so I would be up in time for my appointment but answered it in case it was them as they’d said I needed to be ready in advance.

The person who called said she was checking I was ok for my appointment, which I confirmed I was. She then asked me if they could bring it forward and whilst not ideal (I told them I was in bed and a bit about my situation) I wanted to get this over with so said yes. She checked that I had asked for the call to be recorded and I confirmed I did (my health and disability means I can’t take notes at the moment and I read on here that it’s a good idea to get the call recorded).

My appointment time came and went and about 10/15 mins later the same person phoned me again. She apologised and said they would have to cancel my appointment today because the recording machine had broken. She asked if I could take an assessment call at any time (I would not receive any advance warning of the call) if I wanted it to be done soon and I explained that I couldn’t do this, I need time to prepare and also, whilst I forgot to tell her this, I had a lot of medical appointments coming up so needed to plan my appointment.

She then said because of this it would be about 3 weeks before I would hear again.

She said I could complain if I wanted and she told me I should call the number on the letter that I had about my original appointment.  I didn’t because the whole process was overwhelming enough anyway and I didn’t want to add any more stress.

28/05/25 I received a letter informing me that I had an appointment booked for an in person appointment to take place on 11 June.

(Again you can SKIP this next bit if you don’t want to read the details!) 

The letter didn’t explain why I’d gone from a telephone to an in person appointment.  I’m physically disabled and suffering with significant mobility difficulties and pain so I was really worried about this as I knew I couldn’t get to the appointment and then sit there for an hour or more as they’d indicated.

Despite the stress it created I phoned them because I had no choice.  I expected a battle but I was lucky, an empathetic person took my call and immediately changed it to a telephone assessment.  He explained it might prolong my wait for an appointment but fortunately one was available on 13 June so just two days later than it would have been.

06/06 and 11/06 I received text messages reminding me about my appointment and again informing me that failure to attend may affect my benefit.

13/06/25 - Telephone assessment.  

After my recent issues I was dreading this.  And it was Friday the 13th! 

I think I was lucky as a Doctor did my assessment and clearly understood my condition and limitations. After an hour he stopped the call and said he had enough information to be able to complete his report.   He said it would be 5-6 weeks before I’d hear from DWP about their decision and which group I would be allocated to.

16/06/25 I got a text message from DWP saying they had received my assessment report and would write to me when they had made their decision. They informed me that I didn’t have to contact them unless my circumstances changed.

01/07/25 I got a letter confirming their decision, which was good news.  

I’m so relieved to have completed this process.  It took almost 5 months with a few unpleasant experiences along the way but mostly the people I spoke with were very supportive and helpful.  

I wish anyone going through this process all the best.