My contribution-based ESA stops in May, reaching the 365 days. How do I stop this?

Antaire
Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
edited April 2021 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi all 
My contribution based ESA stops in May reaching the 365 days. How do I stop this ? 

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    You can't. The only way it can be extended is if, when you have a Work Capability Assessment, you are placed in the Support Group. You can try chasing DWP for an assessment but there is a big backlog. 
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    Thank you. So I should’ve been assessed by now but because of Covid they are just stopping it ?
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited March 2021
    Antaire said:
    Thank you. So I should’ve been assessed by now but because of Covid they are just stopping it ?
    The law only allows it to be paid for 365 days unless you are in the Support Group. Assessments are supposed to happen within the first three months. Covid has caused delays. The government is aware that some claimants are in the situation you are in but have refused to allow any relaxation of the time limit.
    https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-rights/news/item/dwp-has-no-plans-to-extend-time-limit-for-payment-of-contributory-esa-where-claimants-have-reached-365-day-limit-but-not-had-work-capability-assessment
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    Thank you 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Have you completed the EA50 Work Capability questionnaire and are therefore waiting for a phone or F2F assessment or have DWP failed to send you the questionnaire?
  • Caz_Alumni
    Caz_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 621 Empowering
    Hi @Antaire

    Welcome to the community :) 

    It looks like you have already made a start on finding your way around and getting some answers to your questions. Hopefully, that's been helpful to you?

    Please do feel free to keep exploring and give us a shout if you would like any help navigating the community or you have any further questions.

    @Caz_Scope :)
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    calcotti said:
    Have you completed the EA50 Work Capability questionnaire and are therefore waiting for a phone or F2F assessment or have DWP failed to send you the questionnaire?
    I remember filling out a form a year ago. I have just received a letter that my ESA will stop in May. If I have no money coming in I’m finishind.
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    I didn’t sleep at all last night. 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi there 

    You still have a bit of time before it stops 

    You need to chase up your WCA calk them and ask if they have your forms you sent and if so when will you be having your assessment as it has been so long wait 

    If they haven't had your form then request another 

    Have you been supplying fit notes throughout the year 
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    What if they say just apply universal credit.
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    janer1967 said:
    Hi there 

    You still have a bit of time before it stops 

    You need to chase up your WCA calk them and ask if they have your forms you sent and if so when will you be having your assessment as it has been so long wait 

    If they haven't had your form then request another 

    Have you been supplying fit notes throughout the year 
    janer1967 said:
    Hi there 

    You still have a bit of time before it stops 

    You need to chase up your WCA calk them and ask if they have your forms you sent and if so when will you be having your assessment as it has been so long wait 

    If they haven't had your form then request another 

    Have you been supplying fit notes throughout the year 
    Yes every month with fail.
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    Sorry without fail
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    You wont know what they will say if you dont call them 

    Take it a step at a time but if you want to continue getting some money you need to sort it out 

    Give them a call see what they sat and then we can give you further advice 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Antaire said:
    What if they say just apply universal credit.
    You can claim UC at the same time as new style ESA anyway and often it will provide additional income but this depends on your circumstances. You can use a benefits calculator to assess entitlement. Benefits calculators - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • Antaire
    Antaire Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    edited April 2021
    I waited a hour to get through. All the advisor said was to go on to the gov website and apply for ESA again which I did.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Antaire said:
    I waited a hour to get through. All the advisor said was to go on to the gov website and apply for ESA again which I did.
    That's stupid advice. You cannot apply again straight away. If you wait until 12 weeks after it ends you can try claiming again and will be eligible if you meet the NI conditions (which will be based on different years to your previous one).

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