ESA Payments - I dont believvvvvvvvvvve it.

I started my claim for ESA as from the 1 April 2010 and sent off two certificates which covered me up to the 27 May 2010. I received two payments, the last being paid on the 14 May 2010. No payments received since then. Today I phoned the ESA office to enquire why I hadn't recieved any further payments. They have just phoned back with the answer and in best Victor Meldrew tradition, "I don't believe it!!!"

They can't pay me because my payday is a Friday and my certificate ran out on the Thursday. They can only pay for two weeks (14 Days) and the system wont let them pay me for the 13 days until they have received and processed further certificates.(Which have been sent to them).

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SYSTEM.

It just goes to prove what we've been saying since it was introduced. ESA was an ill thought out benefit, rushed through Parliament without any real discussion.

in addition to Jima's post,
always make sure you get your certificates in on time , and preferably overlapping .
Also send recorded delivery , and keep copies yourself .
I managed to get my GP to write certs for longer periods , so i didn't have to worry too much about sending them in every 2 weeks.
DWP have a thing about overpayments and their systems are set so no overpayments are created. If any overpayment was their fault then this could be challenged , so hence there is no leeway on occasions like this .

Rich