ESA50

[Fiz]

Bril news seegee

[Silverstar]

Hi

Great news,how is this though, I sent of my original ESA form around this time last year (was migrating over from IB). I heard nothing until mid January 2013  when the DWP phoned me I was in the support group. I then got a letter telling me I would be moved over to ESA payments in February.

All good so far,I sent off for a copy of my esa85a to see the length of the award, 12 months. I was felling relatively "safe" until I got yet another ESA form to fill in at the beginning of July. I went into meltdown, phoned the DWP, got a really snotty b...h on the line who accused me of being stroppy because I wanted to get an explanation.

I belong to b&w so following advice they told me to ask for an escalation and ask for a more senior staff member to call me. Who did but she explained that although there was a massive delay in informing me of the decision, the original paper medical assessment was carried out at the end of August 2012 and that is where they were taking the 12month award date from. Not from when they informed me.

So out of a possible 12month award I had just under 5 months in the SG before they hassled me again. You couldn't make it up.

[KizzyKazaer]

Silverstar, sadly the saga you have described is not uncommon due to delays by ATOS/DWP in deciding claims ...to be honest, I'd rather have my two years in the WRAG (my current award) than half that amount of time in the Support Group, the way it's going  >erm<

[Fiz]

Yes also they send out the ESA50 form 3 months before the end of the award length time to allow for time to process that. I'm surprised they couldn't explain that easily on the phone when you first rang. I think the constant reassessments are particularly hard on anyone with MH issues as they increase them and slow down recovery or prevent it completely. If people had the time and space more people would recover.

[Silverstar]

Hi

What annoyed me was that I even contacted my MP as per the B&W advice he didn't even bother replying (he is a Tory so no surprise there). As I was not technically migrated onto ESA from IB until 5 February 2013 I had only actually been on ESA for 5 months. I suppose I could have taken it further and kicked up a fuss and made a big hoo ha but sometimes you just feel too scared to make a noise.

Maybe as a technicality I could have got my point across but they seemed to be disinterested in my case and I was told fill in the new ESA50 or else. The welfare rights people seemed surprised when I told her that the DWP were not prepared to do anything or to postpone the renewal until Feb 2014. I don't know why, I wasn't lol. I too would prefer 2-3 years in WRAG if they would leave in in relative peace to the hassle of being in the SG, just when you think you are home and dry. I will see what they will do with me this time around.

[Silverstar]

Hi Fiz

By that token I should not have had my renewal for ESA due until November 2013, if the DWP had honoured their 12 month award. As it is I got whole 5 months in the SG before they came sniffing round again.   

[seegee]

Oh, for anyone who can't cope with phone calls from strangers... 

I didn't answer the initial call from DWP; they still sent the form.
I got help, someone (working for a charity specialising in brain injuries) filled the form in for me.
I didn't answer the call a few days ago; they just posted the decision to me.

So I am lucky enough to be in contact with someone who helps with DWP forms regularly - but the bit about not needing to take phone calls from unknown numbers in order to get benefit may be relevant to other people.

[seegee]

I just re-read what he wrote:- "brain injury... huge difficulty following & understanding form such as this" "difficulty taking in new information" "nervous meeting new people" "learning new tasks is very very difficult" "often lose track of what others are saying" "poor dexterity" "pain" "poor memory" "support worker visits 3 times a week".  Other stuff about unable to remain in one seated/ standing position for long... oh, I am sooo employable.  >doh<

It's all true but seeing it in writing along with my various diagnoses, social work assessment and medications, it's not amazing that they chose not to get me to an interview especially as I don't pick up the phone.
For some reason many people seem to think phone is easier than in person??  >erm<

The thing is, I was expecting to have assessment and appeal because I look OK and often sound OK for a while - an employer might not realise they'd got a dud until the new employee has failed to learn the basics after a couple of months and is clearly becoming ill through ?exhaustion through working 15-hours each week. 
I suppose I get used to one-finger typing, suddenly having to lie down, looking for leaning-points when entering a room & forget that this isn't, er, normal...>lol<

[Fiz]

The only person/organisation (apart from close family) that has my mobile number is my sw at CMHT, not even my GP has it. I don't give my number to anyone else, so they have no choice but to write. You are very blessed seegee to have someone to help you with the forms at short notice. I wish there was more help out there for people.

[Sunshine Meadows]

Seegee,

I initially missed you good news  >hugs< >thumbsup< >star<

Good advice about filling in the form too.

Silverstar,

On paper what the DWP in regard to renewal dates probably sounds reasonable to the DWP. To them it is just paperwork and a process of claiming, but to many of us it is a hugely stressful time not just because we are steeping into the unknown worriment of possible financial difficulties should our claim not result in a positive outcome, but also because we have now had three years + of being portrayed as scroungers and liars in papers like the Daily Mail.

[Fiz]

6 months after sending off my ESA50 they have decided to allocate me the support group without a face to face. So I stay in the support group. I wonder who sat there for 6 months deciding ..

Thing is the letter which arrived today says how much money I will receive weekly but it does not have the premium that I get for living alone so the total amount quoted is less than I have been receiving for the last month or so. This doesn't mean I will suddenly get less does it? I can't afford the under occupancy reduction in housing benefit without it. Now I am worried. As the premium is paid as part of my ESA, I am worried they have 'accidently' removed it.

[NeuralgicNeurotic]

I also missed your good news, seegee, so belated congratulations  >bighugs< >thumbsup<

[Monic1511]

6 months after sending off my ESA50 they have decided to allocate me the support group without a face to face. So I stay in the support group. I wonder who sat there for 6 months deciding ..

Thing is the letter which arrived today says how much money I will receive weekly but it does not have the premium that I get for living alone so the total amount quoted is less than I have been receiving for the last month or so. This doesn't mean I will suddenly get less does it? I can't afford the under occupancy reduction in housing benefit without it. Now I am worried. As the premium is paid as part of my ESA, I am worried they have 'accidently' removed it.

Hi Fiz they might have accidently removed it as ESA support group is typically paid as "Contribution based ESA" and your premium is part of income related ESA which you are also entitled to.  I hate to say this but your going to have to call them or get someone to call for you, I suspect the office will close (like ours) at 2.30 tommorrow  so if you can try to phone at 8.45
 >hugs<
Monic

[Fiz]

Oh  :-(

[Becca7]

I hope you sort it Fiz.