IB to ESA Transfer

I am one of those unfortunate souls who has received the dreaded ESA50 form for transfer from IB to ESA. Naturally, I used the guides on this site when I filled the form in and enclosed loads of letters from consultants, occupational health and more. I did all this at the beginning of October and have not heard a word from them since. Is this normal? I am getting more and more aggravated by the lack of response - life is crappy enough without having to worry all the time about whether my income from benefits is going to be reduced further and put me in a position of not being able to pay the household bills. Sorry, turning into a rant.

Paul wrote:

I am one of those unfortunate souls who has received the dreaded ESA50 form for transfer from IB to ESA. Naturally, I used the guides on this site when I filled the form in and enclosed loads of letters from consultants, occupational health and more. I did all this at the beginning of October and have not heard a word from them since. Is this normal? I am getting more and more aggravated by the lack of response - life is crappy enough without having to worry all the time about whether my income from benefits is going to be reduced further and put me in a position of not being able to pay the household bills. Sorry, turning into a rant.

Hi P,

Many members are reporting longer periods before receiving notification of a decison, or an appointment for a medical assessment, after returning their ESA50.

So you're not alone.

See :

How long until they make a decision?

bro58

I have finally received a reply from the DWP. I have been preparing for the anticipated medical and the ensuing appeal process, I was convinced that this was the way things were going to go. Instead, I got put straight into the support group. How unexpected was that? To say I am elated would be an understatement, I have been worrying and getting stressed about this for what seems like an eternity and now, just before Christmas, this......wow! I have no doubt whatsoever that this has come about because of the guides provided by Benefits and Work which proved invaluable when filling in my ESA50. I am never going to be able to thank you enough for guiding me through all the pitfalls and ambiguous questions of that form. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Paul wrote:

I have finally received a reply from the DWP. I have been preparing for the anticipated medical and the ensuing appeal process, I was convinced that this was the way things were going to go. Instead, I got put straight into the support group. How unexpected was that? To say I am elated would be an understatement, I have been worrying and getting stressed about this for what seems like an eternity and now, just before Christmas, this......wow! I have no doubt whatsoever that this has come about because of the guides provided by Benefits and Work which proved invaluable when filling in my ESA50. I am never going to be able to thank you enough for guiding me through all the pitfalls and ambiguous questions of that form. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi P,

That's really good news, especially just before Xmas.

Thank you for your complimentary comments regarding B&W.

Merry Xmas, and Happy New Year.

bro58

Congratulations, Paul. Merry Christmas and a (hopefully) stress-free 2012

I too have just migrated across to ESA from IB/IS, and thanks to the advice offered by Benefits and Work on completing the form and providing supporting evidence I have been placed in the Support Group without having to undergo a medical. No advice agencies in my area would help me complete the form (they didn't know how!), and the CAB were permanently on answering machine. I offer you my heartfelt thanks for your advice - it was tremendously helpful.
Merry Christmas to you all, and a Happy New Year!