SSP to new style ESA

Hi

I am currently on SSP and have been since March of this year, I have also applied for PIP in March of this year.

I have not heard from PIP as yet, although I did call them to see where my application was at, and was informed that it was with the department who looks at the claims, but my phone call to them was in May, so I'm still waiting to hear towards that one.

I have also put in an application towards new style ESA as I am fearful that I am going to get to the end of the 28 weeks and still be to poorly to return to work, so considered that if I put in a claim now then the application should be in place for when the SSP ends if that makes sense.

My question is, do people who have been in the same situation find that when the SSP ends the ESA kicks in, or is there a gap period between the one finishing and the other starting?

And another question is that do they automatically award the new style ESA with continued Fit Notes from the GP or?

Sorry to sound vague, but I have not been through this process before, and am fearful that there is a possibility that I may not be able to return to work.

Any feedback or advise towards this would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Hi Gary

Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes I have worked full time for some years so the contributions based element shouldn't be problematic.

I was hoping that when the SSP ends around the 28 week mark, the ESA would just kick in as I have applied for this within the final 12 weeks of the SSP so am hoping that one just replaces the other.

We would not be eligible for the UC element as my partner works full time so this would not be considered.

I was in receipt of a life time award for full DLA up until 2016 and went through the crossover application from DLA to PIP and following an assessment which was full of lies, I did put in an MR and I was turned down at this point.

I know that I should have pursued it at the time, but the stress was overwhelming, which in turn exacerbated the conditions, so I dropped it for the sake of my health. But fingers crossed it does not come to that this time, but feel that it may (not trying to be a negative), but I think I am mentally preparing for it.

Anyway, thanks for your response.

Best wishes

Hi Gary

Thank you so much for the positive response, it does go some way to providing hope to people like myself who have been set aside, and somewhat manipulated by the stress of it all, as you can only cope and manage with so much on top of what we are dealing with day to day in terms of balancing life itself, work commitments, and our health and wellbeing.

But I will try to remain mindful that I am not in this alone, although it does feel like it at the time.

Once again thank you, this forum and website is a lifeline in terms of information and support