Are DWP no longer issuing ESA50 forms?

Once (if ever) they are assessed, a decision of LCW/LCWRA should mean that payment of additional premiums is backdated to 13th week of claim, no matter how long ago that might be.

Yes, possibly. If you’re anxious, you might advise your clients to get a blank one online and send it in. This isn’t much help to the people who don’t know what they’re waiting for or can’t get access to the internet, but it’s an idea.

They are available online

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300228/esa-50.pdf

Or download here:

Just a warning, we’ve had two clients this week who have had backdated lump sums (one on assessment phase rate for 10 months and the other who challenged a 6 month JSA sanction) both were referred to debt management to consider whether the lump sums should be used to repay overpayments already being collected weekly.. The JSA was taken in full, still waiting to hear about the other.
Never heard of this happening before but we are going to get increasing numbers of clients who are receiving large backdated payments due to PIP and ESA medical delays who have been living on £72 a week for months borrowing money or running up overdrafts to survive and then lose the lot…...

I think DWP are recovering as much money as they can wherever they can….

Regarding the length of time clients are having to wait for assessments (on the assumption of course that they actually manage to pass the dreaded WCA) I am mystified at the level of backlog that exists - this despite the fact that ATOS insist - for our area at least - that assessments are ongoing.

MaggieB - 01 October 2014 09:29 PM

Just a warning, we’ve had two clients this week who have had backdated lump sums (one on assessment phase rate for 10 months and the other who challenged a 6 month JSA sanction) both were referred to debt management to consider whether the lump sums should be used to repay overpayments already being collected weekly.. The JSA was taken in full, still waiting to hear about the other.
Never heard of this happening before but we are going to get increasing numbers of clients who are receiving large backdated payments due to PIP and ESA medical delays who have been living on £72 a week for months borrowing money or running up overdrafts to survive and then lose the lot…...

We had a spate of these a year or so back. I persuaded debt management to release the arrears on hardship grounds in one case (client had the arrears payment earmarked to clear rent arrears and was put at significant risk of becoming homeless) but they refused with all the others I encountered. I haven’t seen it recently so I imagine there was a dictat from On High. We’re probably due another I would think.

I had a client who had his medical scheduled some 9 months outside the 13 wks but had the offer of a job. Claim closed and medical not carried out. And how can they decide on someone’s condition between week 13 and week 52 and more on the day they carry out such a late assessment. I had another client who had ESAcb reinstated as PIP medical evidence used by department to place her in the support group. For claimants the system is a shambles.