Won ESA Appeal...what now?

Londoner
Londoner Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Start here and say hello!

I won my ESA appeal a couple of weeks ago after initially receiving contributions based ESA , but failed to pass the ESA medical assessment In November despite being severely debilitated due to a chronic health condition caused by covid. I received ESA payments whilst awaiting my appeal.

My contribution based ESA payments were stopped this month , and am now waiting for my ESA payments to restart after I was put in the support group.

I rang the DWP and was told the appeal decision was sent only a couple of days ago to the relevant department (am hoping this will stop the endless calls from the job coach at the job centre, who cannot fathom that I am unfit to work!).

How long does it usually take for the new claim to start?

Does it happen automatically or do I need to do anything else?

And would it be backdated to when I started claiming ESA or the date the I lodged my appeal last November?

Am completely new to the benefit system, so am not sure how it all works.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,983 Championing

    Hi,

    It sounds like you've started a New Style ESA claim. This is contributions based, but it's no longer called that since replacing the legacy type.

    There is a waiting period of 13 weeks from the start of the claim before the Support Group payment can be added. As it's been more than 13 weeks since you applied, then it should be backdated from the end of that 13 weeks until the date of the appeal decision.

    It should all happen automatically without you having to do anything. Backpay isn't a quick process but if you haven't heard anything after about 6-8 weeks then definitely worth chasing it up.

    As you mention a Work Coach at the Job Centre, do you also have a Universal Credit claim open? If so, you will now be entitled to the LCWRA Element of UC based on the result of your NS ESA assessment. That may not happen automatically though, and may need to give them a nudge once the ESA side has been sorted out. NS ESA gets deducted in full from UC payments when both are claimed together.

  • Londoner
    Londoner Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    I was told I would be put in the support group as I am not fit to work, and the judge told me the job centre must leave me alone now (literally) . I have no Universal Credit claim open as I do not qualify for UC

  • Londoner
    Londoner Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    My gosh! I got a message now saying my back dated payment will be made next week (!)

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,386 Online Community Team

    What about that for timing @Londoner! 😁

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,590 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

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

    I see OverlyAnxious has already answered your question and given some great information and advice so I won't add anything else but it's lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy your time on the community😊

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