ESA while waiting for appeal?

I have an appeal coming up on 29 June. My ESA was stopped in Feb after a medical. My understanding is that payments should have restarted (as assessment phase rate) when my appeal was lodged. I sent a letter to Stratford benefits office asking for payments to restart, enclosing a medical certificate and copy of the letter from HMCTS saying my appeal had been received (9 April), but I've had no money. The advisor from my housing assoc says the rules changed on 1 April and, because my appeal was received after that, I can't get money while waiting for the hearing - but I don't think that's true?? What can I do to get them to restart payments? (I haven't claimed any other benefits in the meantime or done any work.)

The advisor at my housing assoc did phone the DWP but the person she spoke to insisted that anyone whose appeal was received after 31 March was not entitled to payments while waiting for their appeal. I didn't think that was right, and now you've confirmed it for me I'll make contact with them again myself to chase up my payments. Thanks.

Nina wrote: The advisor at my housing assoc did phone the DWP but the person she spoke to insisted that anyone whose appeal was received after 31 March was not entitled to payments while waiting for their appeal. I didn't think that was right, and now you've confirmed it for me I'll make contact with them again myself to chase up my payments. Thanks.

Hi N,

Gordon is right,

Assessment rate can only be denied on an appeal against a second successive fit for work decision on a repeat ESA claim.

Have a read through : This Topic and the links to other posts therein.

bro58

Have just spoken to DWP - they say they have nothing on record to show that I'm appealing. I sent them a copy of my letter from HMCTS back in April, and they have also managed to produce a 180-page submission to the tribunal! Anyway, they are allegedly going to call me back later today...

SUCCESS - they did actually call back (!) and admitted that they do know I'm appealing, so I'm getting a payment today and then the backdated benefit next Wednesday. Thanks, B&W, for your help!