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Average waiting time for WCA
I saw Mike Pennings assertion to parliament that the average waiting time for WCAs is 118 days (just under 17 weeks). (Rightsnet news story today)
As many of the cases that come my way are taking many many months to be assessed I assume that in some areas of the UK they must be being done very quickly indeed to get the average down to 17 weeks.
Is anyone fortunate enough to be in such an area?
Does it explain how the waiting time is calculated? Is this a date from the start of claim? from the date a ESA50 is sent out?
That may explain part of it…
I think it is from ther date of the claim
I do phone and email advice across the UK and I’m not aware of any areas where it is quicker.
I wonder if the 118 day ‘actual average clearance time’ includes ESA claims that are ended or withdrawn before a WCA decision? That could bring the average down.
Jane
Had a quick google and spotted this FOI request which states that the ‘actual average clearance times’ use working days not calendar days - so 118 days is 23.6 weeks - which makes slightly more sense.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/timescales_for_determinations_of?unfold=1
Also saw this which looks interesting in terms of perverse incentives and ‘gaming’ of AACTs and other targets https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/193469/rrep801.pdf
Jane
So I’m guessing the ‘sharp fall in appeals against benefit decisions’ as just published by the DWP [see rightsnet news today] actually has far more to do with WCA delays rather than introduction of MR…?
from yesterday’s rightsnet news we also had 78 per cent of ESA claims started between July 2013 and September 2013 not having either reached or completed the WCA process
So I’m guessing the ‘sharp fall in appeals against benefit decisions’ as just published by the DWP [see rightsnet news today] actually has far more to do with WCA delays rather than introduction of MR…?
Absolutely! I think you have to be some special kind of moron not to see there is a link between a sharp decline in ESA decisions appealed and also a decline in actual decisions being made! Oh wait a minute…....
from yesterday’s rightsnet news we also had 78 per cent of ESA claims started between July 2013 and September 2013 not having either reached or completed the WCA process
That fits with my experience. I’ve managed to get a couple expedited on grounds of hardship.
With WCA delays and PIP delays, arrears payments are going to be enormous. They should extend the “disregard” period for benefit arrears to give claimants a chance to spend the money imo.