IR ESA Still no annual uprating letter!

Should I be worried?

For the past several years (I believe it's called an uprating letter: the one that tells you what your new IR ESA rate will be from that April) has come by mid February.

This year I am still waiting for it and getting increasingly anxious and stressed about the possibility that I will have to call them up.

I usually get my letter well before I get my student loan deferment application in the post. This time that hasn't happened. I need the letter to complete my deferment (proof of being on benefit) and I feel really anxious that it's not here. I don't want to call them as my condition plus the anxiety makes me fall to pieces.

Next door is empty. Builders who went in there said it hadn't been put in there by accident. I have a relative whose address is close to mine. We don't have anything to do with each other and they are not aware of how sick I am since we've not spoken for years. I don't know if they would go so far as to open a letter for me but I've been working myself up about it all as I'd prefer they didn't know my personal circumstances. Yesterday, my friend said they would knock and ask but I said no.

I had hoped it would come today but there's no sign. If it comes the same time each year usually, is there any reason why it should be different this year? Is there a date by which I can expect it won't come and I'll be forced to ring them?

Sorry this is so long for a simple question! Thanks!

Shell wrote: Should I be worried?

For the past several years (I believe it's called an uprating letter: the one that tells you what your new IR ESA rate will be from that April) has come by mid February.

This year I am still waiting for it and getting increasingly anxious and stressed about the possibility that I will have to call them up.

I usually get my letter well before I get my student loan deferment application in the post. This time that hasn't happened. I need the letter to complete my deferment (proof of being on benefit) and I feel really anxious that it's not here. I don't want to call them as my condition plus the anxiety makes me fall to pieces.

Next door is empty. Builders who went in there said it hadn't been put in there by accident. I have a relative whose address is close to mine. We don't have anything to do with each other and they are not aware of how sick I am since we've not spoken for years. I don't know if they would go so far as to open a letter for me but I've been working myself up about it all as I'd prefer they didn't know my personal circumstances. Yesterday, my friend said they would knock and ask but I said no.

I had hoped it would come today but there's no sign. If it comes the same time each year usually, is there any reason why it should be different this year? Is there a date by which I can expect it won't come and I'll be forced to ring them?

Sorry this is so long for a simple question! Thanks!

Hi S,

Yes, DWP are late this year in sending out the annual "uprating" benefit entitlement letters and we are not aware of any particular reason for this. Some members have started to report that they have just received them.

If you need a current one, you could ring ESA and request that they send one to you :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

bro58

Am I right in thinking that the rates are staying the same? If so, do they still send a letter?

Thanks! Bro58, thanks, that's reassuring. I get myself into such an anxious state over everything!

Would you know if there is a date beyond which it is unlikely to arrive if it's going to come and is just delayed? Like a cut-off point after which I should call them? Thanks a lot.