ESA noone has contacted me

Sickofitall92728 · 2025-10-13T09:50:56+00:00

I applied for new style esa 12 days ago and I haven't heard from them. I filled in the application, and sent a sick note , got a text confirming that , I've heard nothing else. How long do I have to wait before I get paid as I have no money left? I thought im supposed to have a meeting with them? Is that a letter, text or phone call to arrange in the first instance?

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 10:58

ESA is by no means instantaneous but 12 weeks is a long wait.

Assume you've let them have a fit note and that SSP, if payable, has ended.

Unfortunately, you need to phone them and the wait for calls to be answered is lengthy.

DiscoBob · 13/10/2025 11:10

So you've filled in the forms but haven't yet had an assessment? It could be many weeks before you get your first payment.

They need to send you an appointment for an interview, do the interview, then make a decision based on that, then start paying you. Each stage could take a couple of weeks or even more.

Original poster

Sickofitall92728 · 13/10/2025 13:40

Are the payments backdated? How do survive financially with no money coming in other than pip?
I've had to give up work due to disability

OP posts:

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 13/10/2025 13:42

My DSs form was sent in end of July and still nothing. We've been told he won't need the actual face to face due to his condition but we haven't seen any money as yet.

Thistooshallpsss · 13/10/2025 13:51

This doesn’t sound right. The government website says that you will be contacted within 10 days and a phone appointment made with the job centre where you have to provide your fit note and agree your claimant commitment. I would expect payment to then start although there is nothing on the site which explains about payment. The assessment process kicks in subsequently and the group you are put in. I would ring and try and find out what is happening

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 14:03

Sickofitall92728 · 13/10/2025 13:40

Are the payments backdated? How do survive financially with no money coming in other than pip?
I've had to give up work due to disability

Assuming there's not some issue with (eg) NICs or ongoing SSP affecting eligibility it should be paid at £92.05/week from, at the latest, the date of claim.

The Work Capability Assessment process should be prompted by you filing a fit note with an ESA50 form sent out. That process has three possible outcomes (a) fit for work, (b) not fit but could be with right support or (c) unable to work or do work related activity. The final on adds extra money so you get £140.55/week.

As above you need to chase; delay of that length without a JC interview etc isn't right.

notatinydancer · 13/10/2025 14:05

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 10:58

ESA is by no means instantaneous but 12 weeks is a long wait.

Assume you've let them have a fit note and that SSP, if payable, has ended.

Unfortunately, you need to phone them and the wait for calls to be answered is lengthy.

It’s 12 days.

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 14:06

notatinydancer · 13/10/2025 14:05

It’s 12 days.

Show quote history

Ahh right, misread.

Enigma54 · 14/10/2025 12:43

I’m in the same boat OP, except I’ve had a text from DWP, requesting my SSP1. form. Hopefully you will hear back soon.

PrincessFluffyPants · 14/10/2025 13:15

My experience was: applied online mid June and submitted sick notes, hadn't heard anything by mid July so phoned them as I thought there was something wrong with my claim, I was told the number of days they take to get back to you was wrong, DWP were really behind and to just continue to submit sick notes, I asked then what do people do if they are desperate for money and I was told they can submit a claim for UC (I didn't as I knew we wouldn't qualify). Around week 10/11 I was phoned and told I had an appointment with a back to work advisor on X date even though I have a chronic illness and was continuing to send in sick notes (stage 4 cancer, palliative treatment), no arguments or they would end my claim if I didn't attend, no leeway on the date I had to be available. The Back to work advisor was bemused but had to go through the motions and tick boxes and told me to continue to submit sick notes and make one work commitment which was that I would tell them if anything changed, appointment made to meet in person at the job centre and review in November. Week 13 or so I finally receive a back dated payment of the £90 rate so I continue to submit sick notes and wait for a medical assessor to get in touch? Heard nothing but received a letter last week (approx week 16/17) to say I'm now in the support group and my payment has been adjusted accordingly. Still no mention of a medical assessment interview yet so things may change again, who knows.

Thank goodness my husband works or I don't know how any bills would have been paid, never mind food shopping. I really feel for anyone going through the process and having to endure a long wait for their case to be assessed, the timeline is incorrect and should be amended.

The other thing that came to mind was how many people in that long waiting time are able to find a job/return to work before their claim is assessed, they wouldn't receive a penny and the cynical part of me wonders if this assessment phase is being stretched out to make sure fewer people are paid in the end.

Octavia64 · 14/10/2025 13:15

Mine got backdated so I got a lump sum through.

it was at least a couple of months, don’t remember exactly.

Enigma54 · 14/10/2025 13:40

PrincessFluffyPants · 14/10/2025 13:15

My experience was: applied online mid June and submitted sick notes, hadn't heard anything by mid July so phoned them as I thought there was something wrong with my claim, I was told the number of days they take to get back to you was wrong, DWP were really behind and to just continue to submit sick notes, I asked then what do people do if they are desperate for money and I was told they can submit a claim for UC (I didn't as I knew we wouldn't qualify). Around week 10/11 I was phoned and told I had an appointment with a back to work advisor on X date even though I have a chronic illness and was continuing to send in sick notes (stage 4 cancer, palliative treatment), no arguments or they would end my claim if I didn't attend, no leeway on the date I had to be available. The Back to work advisor was bemused but had to go through the motions and tick boxes and told me to continue to submit sick notes and make one work commitment which was that I would tell them if anything changed, appointment made to meet in person at the job centre and review in November. Week 13 or so I finally receive a back dated payment of the £90 rate so I continue to submit sick notes and wait for a medical assessor to get in touch? Heard nothing but received a letter last week (approx week 16/17) to say I'm now in the support group and my payment has been adjusted accordingly. Still no mention of a medical assessment interview yet so things may change again, who knows.

Thank goodness my husband works or I don't know how any bills would have been paid, never mind food shopping. I really feel for anyone going through the process and having to endure a long wait for their case to be assessed, the timeline is incorrect and should be amended.

The other thing that came to mind was how many people in that long waiting time are able to find a job/return to work before their claim is assessed, they wouldn't receive a penny and the cynical part of me wonders if this assessment phase is being stretched out to make sure fewer people are paid in the end.

This is why people take out critical illness Insurance, for when you get hit with bloody cancer, right left and centre. It’s maddening, the length of time the whole process takes. What are people actually meant to do?

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 14/10/2025 14:24

As I said previous we applied July. GP phoned yesterday to say he only just received form to fill in.

Enigma54 · 14/10/2025 14:35

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 14/10/2025 14:24

As I said previous we applied July. GP phoned yesterday to say he only just received form to fill in.

July? That’s a long wait.

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 14/10/2025 14:44

I know, huge backlog in our area. Meanwhile numerous hospital appointments still. Bone and cyst biopsies yesterday 30 petrol and 5 carpark.

Thistooshallpsss · 14/10/2025 14:58

PrincessFluffyPants · 14/10/2025 13:15

My experience was: applied online mid June and submitted sick notes, hadn't heard anything by mid July so phoned them as I thought there was something wrong with my claim, I was told the number of days they take to get back to you was wrong, DWP were really behind and to just continue to submit sick notes, I asked then what do people do if they are desperate for money and I was told they can submit a claim for UC (I didn't as I knew we wouldn't qualify). Around week 10/11 I was phoned and told I had an appointment with a back to work advisor on X date even though I have a chronic illness and was continuing to send in sick notes (stage 4 cancer, palliative treatment), no arguments or they would end my claim if I didn't attend, no leeway on the date I had to be available. The Back to work advisor was bemused but had to go through the motions and tick boxes and told me to continue to submit sick notes and make one work commitment which was that I would tell them if anything changed, appointment made to meet in person at the job centre and review in November. Week 13 or so I finally receive a back dated payment of the £90 rate so I continue to submit sick notes and wait for a medical assessor to get in touch? Heard nothing but received a letter last week (approx week 16/17) to say I'm now in the support group and my payment has been adjusted accordingly. Still no mention of a medical assessment interview yet so things may change again, who knows.

Thank goodness my husband works or I don't know how any bills would have been paid, never mind food shopping. I really feel for anyone going through the process and having to endure a long wait for their case to be assessed, the timeline is incorrect and should be amended.

The other thing that came to mind was how many people in that long waiting time are able to find a job/return to work before their claim is assessed, they wouldn't receive a penny and the cynical part of me wonders if this assessment phase is being stretched out to make sure fewer people are paid in the end.

Thank you for your real life example. I’m sorry about your diagnosis.I think that a cancer diagnosis automatically puts you in the support group without further assessment. Very best wishes to you.

Enigma54 · 14/10/2025 14:58

@Seagullsandsausagerolls I know what you mean. Petrol, parking, time, energy and no money as of yet.

Thistooshallpsss · 14/10/2025 16:33

Sorry everyone I’ve just checked cancer treatment might give you a pass to the lcw group or the lcwra group but the dwp can assess for both if they want to. Don’t want to put up incorrect information here.

Boomer55 · 14/10/2025 16:53

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 10:58

ESA is by no means instantaneous but 12 weeks is a long wait.

Assume you've let them have a fit note and that SSP, if payable, has ended.

Unfortunately, you need to phone them and the wait for calls to be answered is lengthy.

It’s 12 days, not weeks. 🤷‍♀️

Bromptotoo · 14/10/2025 16:59

Boomer55 · 14/10/2025 16:53

It’s 12 days, not weeks. 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

I know that now.

See upthread.

ladyamy · 14/10/2025 17:27

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2025 10:58

ESA is by no means instantaneous but 12 weeks is a long wait.

Assume you've let them have a fit note and that SSP, if payable, has ended.

Unfortunately, you need to phone them and the wait for calls to be answered is lengthy.

12 days, not 12 weeks

Bromptotoo · 14/10/2025 19:06

ladyamy · 14/10/2025 17:27

12 days, not 12 weeks

Show quote history

As already stated, I know this.

Misread.

Enigma54 · 16/10/2025 10:38

I’ve been contacted and have my telephone appointment next week. Thank goodness!