Can someone tell me if the change to the appeal process, as per the Welfare Reform bill, came in April, or whether it comes in October? This pertains to claimants now having to wait for a second decision if they want to appeal the initial decision. Claimants cannot claim ESA pending that decision, though they can formally appeal, as before (iirc), if that second decision is still not in their favour. The problem is that there is no time limit for that second decision and people will have to go on to JSA (and hope they are entitled to it) in the meantime. This in turn is likely, though it isn't clear of course, to negate an ESA claim pending that second decision.
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