Esa support group

[buds68]

Hi Everyone
I have been on Esa since June25th 2013,believe it or not i got a letter today from Atos telling me that there is not a need for a face to face assessment they have informed the DWP an recommended i be put in the support group for 18 months,Apparently ive been in the assessment phase all news to me,i find it all very confusing,i have been told that the support group rate is alot more than im getting,will this be backdated 18 months or will thay only backdate 3 months? And who makes the decision whether i will be in the support group ,

[Kati]

Re: Esa support group

Hi Buds,

From the Gov.uk site (https://www.gov.uk/employment-suppor...wance/overview)

Support group
You don’t have to go to interviews, but you can ask to talk to a personal adviser. You’re usually in this group if your illness or disability severely limits what you can do.

- so that looks good to me ... if they have decided that you qualify for the support group, then you will not be asked to attend work related interviews etc...

and from the CAB website (http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/englan..._allowance.htm)

If you were entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) before you made your claim, you may be able to get it for an earlier period. This is called backdating. ESA can be backdated for up to three months before the date of your claim, and you do not have to give a reason for your late claim. You should explain when you make your claim that you want to claim backdated benefit and give the date you became entitled to ESA.

- unfortunately, it seems you will only be able to get it backdated 3 months, but this should still make a difference

I'm not sure who makes these decisions, but one of the other Beagles might be able to tell you ....

Kati x

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

I may sound thick but of course i was entitled to it i have been sending in sick notes,i am getting P.I.P at the enhanced rate for care an Normal rate for Mobility an that assessment took 9months an i was backdated for that ,Arghhh this is so confusing i have no patience or ability to call the DWP as they just talk a load of whats sounds like mumbo jumbo to me ,thanks for your reply .

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Sorry also how long does it take the DWP decision maker to make the decision of putting me on the support group ?

[des8]

Re: Esa support group

I read the regualtion quoted in Kati's post above as meaning you can only backdate your claim for three months prior to the date of your claim.
So if you claimed back in June 2013, you should receive backdated payments to that date,and for three months prior to that date.

[Kati]

Re: Esa support group

I read the regualtion quoted in Kati's post above as meaning you can only backdate your claim for three months prior to the date of your claim.
So if you claimed back in June 2013, you should receive backdated payments to that date,and for three months prior to that date.

You could be right [MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION], it would be good for the OP if you are xx

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Does anyone know how long it will take DWP to sort my claim out,just been put on support group for ESA was on assessment phase for 18 months,Atos have decided that i should be on support group an have sent all details to DWP,have tried phoning one adviser is telling me 8 weeks an another telling me 4-6 weeks,all so confusing !

[des8]

Re: Esa support group

eight weeks would not be unusual for a claim going back 18 months:tinysmile_cry_t:

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Well ive waited 18 months whats another 2 :tinysmile_cry_t: You would think they would deal with it straight away considering ive been waiting all this time:tinysmile_cry_tes8 when i phoned the advisor said she couldnt tell me whether they will backdate for 18months do you know anything about it?I was backdated for P.I.P for 9 months

[des8]

Re: Esa support group

My understanding is that payment is made back to the date of your claim, and (as per Kati's earlier post) this can be backdated by another 3 months.

However the DWP are noted for being slow, and inaccurate:tinysmile_cry_t:

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Sorry Des8 im going to sound really thick ,so your saying i could be backdated 21 months ? Slow the DWP never :tinysmile_cry_t: Well when i phoned the advisor really was unhelpful an could not give me answers for anything!!

[TalbotWoods]

Re: Esa support group

[MENTION=46145]buds68[/MENTION]

Recently supported a client who was going through this. The whole lot was backdated to the start of the claim, but it took 9 weeks to get all the paperwork sorted at DWPs end before it was paid out.

So to quote the sage of all advisers “Patience you must have my young padawan”, well unfortunately for a few more weeks

[des8]

Re: Esa support group

Sorry Des8 im going to sound really thick ,so your saying i could be backdated 21 months ? Slow the DWP never :tinysmile_cry_t: Well when i phoned the advisor really was unhelpful an could not give me answers for anything!!

Yes, if that is how long ago you made your claim (at least that is how I understand it)

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Thankyou all for your patience with me :tinysmile_twink_t2: Will sit back an wait whats another 8 weeks when your debts are piling up:tinysmile_cry_t:

[buds68]

Re: Esa support group

Thanks for reply .will sit back an wait whats another 9 weeks :tinysmile_cry_t::tinysmile_cry_t: