Claiming ESA

windmill54 wrote: I am about to claim ESA. So that I have everything ready to send off could you please tell me how many months Bank statements they will require so that I can get copies thereof. Many thanks

If you are applying for Contribution Based ESA with no expectation of receiving Income Related ESA then you should not need to supply bank statements unless the DWP specifically request them.

If it is ESA(IR) in whole or in part then they may only need to see a current statement, if they want historical ones then it may be three or six months worth, unfortunately it will likely depend on how complicated your finances are as to how many they might require. For example; if you regularly move money between your accounts then it is more likely that they will need to see more!

Gordon

windmill54 wrote: Hi Gordon, many thanks for your quick reply. I'm slightly confused whether it will be assessed as Contribution Based or ESR(IR). I have 30 years of NI contributions but not over the last few tax years. My finances are very basic with only one savings and one bank account so assume I'll just need to get maximum 3-6 month copies of statements. I find this website very helpful and am sure I will have further questions as time goes by with my claim. Thanks again.

For ESA(CB) you will need at least 50 weeks of NI Contributions in the Tax Years 2012-13 and 2013-14, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Gordon

Windmill

You can use either route, calling it in will usually result in the claim being processed more quickly, but you will likely be on the phone for at least half an hour.

There are only very limited circumstances where a new claimant should not expect an ESA50 to be issued, these are explained in more detail in the ESA Claim guides but primarily cover terminal illness with a reasonable expectation of death in the next six months and receiving or recovering from certain types of cancer treatment.

The ESA1 is intended to capture your personal information for the DWP, a Fit Note needs to be attached but there is no value in your sending additional medical evidence as the DWP do not have the facilities to deal with it (with the exception of the above), they rely on Maximus to provide medical services for the ESA process, who will not be involved until your file is passed to them by the DWP.

That said, approaching your GP for their assistance is worth doing in preparation for when you are asked to describe your problems.

Gordon