How Long Does ESA Take? Answer...

[Helen82]

How Long Does ESA Take To Get??

1. Make your initial claim for ESA.

2. You may be asked to provide other evidence, such as proof of savings and income as well as a medical certificate.

3. Some claimants may be given ‘early entry’ to the work capability assessment, allowing them to be placed in the support group or work-related activity group without needing to attend a medical or complete a questionnaire. This may be, for example, because:
- you are terminally ill
- you are exempt because, for example, you are having certain types of chemotherapy
- you have a very severe illness or disability and it is clear you qualify for the support group.

4. By day 11 your claim should be processed and you should receive your first payment, 67.50 per week from the date your application was received.

5. By day 30 you should be sent a an ESA50 questionnaire. You will have six weeks to complete and return it.

6. If you are allocated to the support group or work-related activity group on the basis of your questionnaire you should receive a decision letter informing you. If you have been placed in the work-related activity group you will still have to attend a work-focused health-related assessment at a Medical Examination Centre.

7. You will get an appointment for your medical examination, work-focused health-related assessment. You should get at least 7 days notice in writing or a phone call from Atos Healthcare to arrange.

8. You attend your examination at around day 43 of your claim, though this seems to be based on your returning the IB50 questionnaire within a few days.

9. You should receive a letter giving you a date to attend a work-focused interview. This interview may be as early as week eight of your claim, unless it is waived or deferred. For many people, the work-focused interview may take place before their medical.

10. You receive your outcome letter for the work capability assessment and a copy of your work-focused health related activity report. If you are found capable of work you can challenge the decision via an appeal. Whilst awaiting an appeal you can claim ESA at the assessment phase rate £67.50 per week.

11. After 13 weeks, if you passed the work capability assessment, you will enter the main phase of ESA as a member of either the work-related activity group or the support group.

12. If by the end of 13 weeks a decision has not been made on eligibility, for example because you have been too ill to be assessed, the assessment phase can be extended.

13. Claimants in the work-related activity group will have a further five work-focused interviews. Your benefits may be sanctioned if you fail to attend and take part in these interviews.

14. Claimants in the work-related activity group will be subject to at least one work-focused interview each time you have a further work capability assessment. It is intended that assessments will take place annually, though it may not always be necessary for claimants to attend further medicals. Claimants in the support group may have their eligibility reassessed from time to time.

[isis25]

Thanks for this Helen. Great to know whats going to happen <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 />


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I won't let ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia rule my life, I'll just adjust it accordingly!