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What does the decision letter look like?

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Jurph
Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
edited March 2018 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi. 

I received a letter about my ESA claim yesterday but I'm reluctant to give a sigh of releif until I'm sure.

It doesn't make a great deal of sense. It has 3 different figures on it - £73 from December until March, then £125 from March until April then £126 from April.

It mentions the support group but there's no statement like I had with PIP. 

There's no dates or anything else. Is it a decision letter?
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  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Community member Posts: 859 Pioneering
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    @Jurph hello again, No need to panic, the letter you've recieved is the yearly updating letter. With the figures you've quoted it looks like you are already in the Support Group of ESA.

    If you want to find out how long till your next review will be its best phone the number in the letter and they should tell you roughly when it's due again.

    ⬇️
    I created one of the campaign election videos for Labour, and Jeremy Corbyn,
    This is a new version of Emeli Sande, Hope "You Are Not Alone
    I highlighted everything that's wrong with this country from benefits, NHS, UC etc, but now we have to put up with the hate now that is the Tories. 

    You can see the video here.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P5o8hRHh9IY


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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    Sounds like it.
    You might get an updated letter at the end of the tax year- April. 

    Mine looks a bit like yours with the March and April comments. 

    I think the forms are designed to make sense only to the dwp, not us.

    I didn't understand my pip letter!
    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
    edited March 2018
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    Thanks!

    It's my first claim for ESA so I wasn't in any group.
    it looks like a standard end of year letter but does mention a support group.
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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
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    I also don't understand where £125.55 comes from at the gov websites states I should get the £109 figure
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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    Just guessing as I'm that group.
    Did it not mention a premium or disability guarantee? £15.90 off the top of my head. 

    Someone who understands things more will see your post and reply. 
    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
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    Now I'm really worried. It doesn't mention that.

    This obviously isn't a decision letter is it?
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  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hello, I guess you have been put into support group if so you will not need to send in fit notes any more. If you are already in the support group the payments most likely updating you on current payments and the latter is when new increase starts in Aprill . To be sure ring DWP who will confirm what any payments are for. 
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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    It sounds like yours says 
    Living expenses xxx
    Support group xxx 

    Its national insurance contributions as well, maybe you are income related. 
    Do call if you need it explaining though. 

    We get a Christmas bonus which is good as I don't celebrate it. 
    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
    edited March 2018
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    It says from 9 April some rates will change. Then...

    20th December 2017 it's £73.10 (that I've been getting)

    Then from 21st March it'll be £125.55

    Then from 11th April it'll be £127.15

    On the last page it says how we've worked it but just states the £73.10 from 20th December 2017 to 20th March 2018

    It says they've looked at it again following a recent change? I'm guessing the WCA as that's all that's happened. It's income related as haven't worked for a few years.
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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    £127.15 is the right amount for the support group next financial year, next month.
    Are you on pip? They are separate benefits but do like to hold hands sometimes. 
    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Community member Posts: 859 Pioneering
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    @Jurph as mention above I would defo say you've been placed in the support Group following a WCA did you attend one recently, if so that's possible reason but as advised to comfirm it with the DWP it will not cause any issues for you.
    ⬇️
    I created one of the campaign election videos for Labour, and Jeremy Corbyn,
    This is a new version of Emeli Sande, Hope "You Are Not Alone
    I highlighted everything that's wrong with this country from benefits, NHS, UC etc, but now we have to put up with the hate now that is the Tories. 

    You can see the video here.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P5o8hRHh9IY


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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
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    @Governments_A_Joke yes. I had the assessment a month ago. I was expecting the decision but this just isn't clear. Not like a proper decision letter like you get for PIP

    @whistles I applied for both at the same time. I've been denied Pip with zero points. Even after Mandatory reconsideration. I'm in the process of appealing.
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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    Did you go for work assessment test type thing?
    Not sure if you can request a copy of that like you can with pip.
    But it doesn't tell you what you score on the letter like pip will have.


    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
    edited March 2018
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    Yes. It was horrific (they were running 3 hours late!)

    I thought it would be similar and would say something along the lines of 'after your assessment, we are awarding you X for X years'?

    Thanks for your replies today. I was getting worked up by it all. You've both kept me grounded.
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  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Community member Posts: 859 Pioneering
    edited March 2018
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    @jurph they've put in the support group. That answers it then now you had WCA a month ago Just phone DWP and they will explain all, as you got that letter before the decision.

    Let us know once you've phoned them how you get on will be interesting if correct. 100% sure that's what's happend.
    ⬇️
    I created one of the campaign election videos for Labour, and Jeremy Corbyn,
    This is a new version of Emeli Sande, Hope "You Are Not Alone
    I highlighted everything that's wrong with this country from benefits, NHS, UC etc, but now we have to put up with the hate now that is the Tories. 

    You can see the video here.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P5o8hRHh9IY


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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
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    Ah, that makes sense! I've got letter 2 before letter 1.

    I'll ring them tomorrow and let you know.

    Thank you so much.
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  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Community member Posts: 859 Pioneering
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    @Jurph as to how long? while your on the phone you can ask how long in the Support Group it won't cause problems buddy.
    ⬇️
    I created one of the campaign election videos for Labour, and Jeremy Corbyn,
    This is a new version of Emeli Sande, Hope "You Are Not Alone
    I highlighted everything that's wrong with this country from benefits, NHS, UC etc, but now we have to put up with the hate now that is the Tories. 

    You can see the video here.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P5o8hRHh9IY


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  • Jurph
    Jurph Community member Posts: 369 Pioneering
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    I've put it on the list. Thanks
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  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Community member Posts: 859 Pioneering
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    Jurph said:
    I've put it on the list. Thanks
    @Jurph As a rule the max in the support group is 3 years, but it is indef but can review anytime after 3 months, but doubtful I've been in the SG for over 4 years now. My PIP is Ongoing. Good luck remember to fight your PIP decision.
    ⬇️
    I created one of the campaign election videos for Labour, and Jeremy Corbyn,
    This is a new version of Emeli Sande, Hope "You Are Not Alone
    I highlighted everything that's wrong with this country from benefits, NHS, UC etc, but now we have to put up with the hate now that is the Tories. 

    You can see the video here.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P5o8hRHh9IY


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  • whistles
    whistles Community member Posts: 1,583 Disability Gamechanger
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    Never had a WCA just to confuse it a bit more.  :) 
    Do not follow me, I don't know where I am going.
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