First time applying for ESA

6emm6bee6
6emm6bee6 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
edited November 22 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

hi all, i was off sick for 8 months whilst i got diagnosed with Bipolar disorder , i have returned to work on a phased return/reduced hours.


i applied for ESA backdated for 2 months (as SSP is only 6 months.. i was getting Group Income Protection but it was only £1000 when my salary is £2500 and i wasn’t able to afford my bills for a couple months leading to debts)


i applied for new style ESA , had my phone call regard my claimant commitment last week and received my paper version of it through.


any idea how long payment takes from this point? Does that mean i’ve been accepted? The woman didn’t say no.. she said i was entitled to it and “not to worry, i’ve worked since you were legally able to and it’s okah to need help” and also discussed how i could apply for tax credit and ADP also.

I plan to use the money on the bills i couldn’t pay for a couple months so i would just like to understand where i am in the process and roughly when to expect payment.

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Comments

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,277 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @6emm6bee6 sorry to be a pain but when you say received the paper version after your call, was this the award confirmation?

    Your conversation with the lady definitely sounds very promising!

  • 6emm6bee6
    6emm6bee6 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    hi there! No it just appears to be my claimant commitment. We had the meeting/call on 13/11.

    it says what happens next “we will write to you to tell you if you can get new style ESA and how much you will get”

    I have already uploaded digital copies of my sicklines.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,277 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @6emm6bee6 it could be up to a few months but fingers crossed it doesn't take that long for you and I hope you receive a positive result. 😊

  • 6emm6bee6
    6emm6bee6 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    so i got my “award letter” through and it’s dated 18/11 which confirms the amount and payment has been issued.


    but it’s now 28/11 and i’ve not had payment … is this normal? Bit confused as i would have thought 5-7 days after the letter

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 3,160 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists
    edited November 28

    Hi @6emm6bee6 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    Sometimes there can be a bit of a backlong but it may be worth contacting the number on the letter, just to check if it takes any longer just for peace of mind😊

  • 6emm6bee6
    6emm6bee6 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    gave them a call.. wildly unhelpful.

    Told me i haven’t had payment cause the benefit has been stopped as i’m back at work.. i explained i get that but it was a backdated payment to cover 9-21october according to the letter.. it even confirmed the exact amount in ££ i would get and the bank account they were paying it to.. 

    They’re going to escalate but can’t give me a timeframe on when they will get back to me 🙄


    frustrating as some people get this payment for much longer , mines was only for 3 weeks , i’ve returned to work on a reduced capacity and i’ve paid national insurance since i was 18 (minus one year in my early 20s while at college) . i’m now 33.

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