Esa payments

[Nicjy]

I haven't been well and only just checked banking and I have had no esa payments for September I had no letter to say they were stopping it

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, have you rang them to ask why there is no payment for the month of September?

[Nicjy in reply to Dizzytwo]

I've only just noticed as not been well i will give them a call in morning but I keep hearing about universal credit etc but I on esa support contribution based i stressed now no sleep for me tonight

[Dizzytwo in reply to Nicjy]

Sorry but only they can answer your question.

[Nicjy in reply to Dizzytwo]

OK thankyou

[angelm54 in reply to Nicjy]

hi did you find out about your payment

[Tarn123]

let us know what the say, As the ESA support group has no end date. Unless you have missed a review or something? Get on the phone asap, as I called last week and I was on hold for over an hour. Hopefully they sort it for you

[Dizzytwo in reply to Tarn123]

Hi, I have just read this and it may apply to Nicjy as they are on contribution Base. Hope it helps you too

Why has my ESA stopped .

New Style and contribution-based ESA last for 365 days if you’re in the work-related activity group.

There’s no time limit if you’re in the support group, or if you’re getting income-related ESA

[Hel52]

Hi If a Tuesday is your day for getting your ESA then definitely look into why you haven’t received please get on and check with the I received ESA on a different day don’t leave it .

[Onedaymore1]

It might be your record shows your on the contributory ESA with capacity to work so you would only get this ESA for 365 days If your assessed as being in the support group with limited capacity for work related capacity then you will be paid ESA beyond 365 days & until the end of your awarded period (period allocated after the independent medical assessment.

I had to phone ESA this week and I had to hold for 1hr 30mins. When I got through the Adviser was really efficient & answered all my questions quickly & with a helpful attitude. It’s just when your ill and know you have to ring you have to pick a time when your symptoms allow you the ability to make the call. I have fallen asleep holding for DWP PIP & slept through the answering part 🫣.

Not sure if these ideas will help anyone who needs to make a call to DWP/PIP/ESA,

1 - Get a notepad / paper etc & date the page. Then add time of call made & time call ended & name of person you speak to (Fill in at end of call)

Also,

Note your NI number

Note the date of your last benefit £ payment into your bank account (seems to be a common question in call filtering process .

2. Write down each question you need to ask & leave space between each question to write / note the answer down during / after the call

3. If you have someone in the house /with you that is doing /can be something else, you make the call & go through the initial call filtering questions.

When you are placed on hold hand your phone to the other person & go do something else until someone answers. The person with the phone can then bring phone to you / call you to come speak etc.

I know it’s basic stuff but for me, I get stressed in run up to needing to make the phone call, it deters me from actually making the call, and it is sole destroying holding/listening to the hold music whilst thinking “ I hope I don’t get cut off”.

I also, drain of energy like someone pulling a plug & I need to sleep.

The “Someone else” holding for you in a different room means you’re ‘detached’ and ‘distracted’ from the stress of holding on for so long.

The someone with the phone isn’t stressed as it’s not their phone call /need for Questions/answers etc

I have been awarded Contributions based ESA & after the 3hr phone medical assessment been put in the LCWRA/Support group but the award letter still said Contributions ESA is paid for 365 days.

When I phoned it was confirmed as I have been placed in the support group of the Contributory based ESA it will be paid for 18 months & then reviewed .

I asked for this in writing

DWP wouldn’t get so many phone calls if the actually sent clear & concise information in the first place.

Hope you get it sorted soon

Evidence of holding time