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ESA 50 - when is it sent?
- synapse321
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not find the answer.
I called DWP today who said my ESA Support group claim is due for renewal in Aug 2016.
Can anyone shed any light on when the forms are sent. The call handler said that at the
moment renewals are in a mess and it may be a while before I hear anything. However, she
finished off by saying that you will hear within 3 months.
So which is right - getting them in 3 months - or is true there is a delay?
Past experience with DWP suggests they are not be trusted 100 per cent.
Regards
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- slugsta
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Welcome to Benefits and Work
There was a suspension of reassessments. In fact, they did not happen for several years in many cases. However, they resumed at the end of last year and seem to be running to schedule now. I would expect you to to hear soon if you were told the date on the computer is August 2016.
If you wish to get ahead of the game you could make a start on the PDF form
Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire
Don't forget to make full use of our ESA guide
ESA claims and appeals
You might wish to bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future. That will allow you to return with further questions/comments without having to start a new topic each time. It helps us enormously when everything relating to the same claim is kept in one place - and I hope you will find it useful too
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- synapse321
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- Posts: 109
I stand corrected - the telephone agent said the ESA 50 is normally sent 6 weeks before the end date of assessment which for me will be in Aug this year.
I have heard stories that people are not sent an ESA50 but instead are contacted for a face to face interview instead. Can this happen on renewals?
Would you advise I contact DWP if I don't receive the ESA 50 in time (i.e. within 6 weeks of Aug)
or could I ride my luck that they may delay the process. Could contacting them trigger a re-assessment?
Regards
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- Gordon
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synapse321 wrote: Thanks for your replies.
I stand corrected - the telephone agent said the ESA 50 is normally sent 6 weeks before the end date of assessment which for me will be in Aug this year.
I have heard stories that people are not sent an ESA50 but instead are contacted for a face to face interview instead. Can this happen on renewals?
Would you advise I contact DWP if I don't receive the ESA 50 in time (i.e. within 6 weeks of Aug)
or could I ride my luck that they may delay the process. Could contacting them trigger a re-assessment?
Regards
It can happen on renewals although it is rare, the legislation does not require the issuing of an ESA50, but it can be argued that any Decision made without one is potentially weak. Also, there is nothing stopping a claimant submitting their own form if one is not issued.
Your current award is an indefinite one, so there's no requirement for you to chase the DWP if the form is late (it actually comes from Maximus), you will continue to be paid at the current rate until a new Decision is made.
Asking about your reassessment date should not initiate one, the call centre staff have nothing to do with this process.
Gordon
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- synapse321
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- Posts: 109
Once you are turned down you have to write within 28 asking for a reconsideration in writing
which you have to reply within 28 days.
At this point are you able to claim any benefits?
If they reject your mandatory reconsideration can you then appeal?
At what point do you apply for JSA?
Also if you are on JSA awaiting the outcome, does that not lessen your chance of getting a
disability benefit as the DWP could turn around and say you have signed up to JSA stating
you are fit and capable of looking for work?
Regards
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- Gordon
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If you are found Fit for Work, then you should submit a request for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the date of the Decision.
The only benefit that you can claim while your MR is processed is JSA, you do not have to claim this, but obviously won't be paid if you don't
Your claiming JSA will not have any effect of your MR or appeal. Once you have made a claim for JSA (and not before) you can present a Fit Note and be excused any Job Search requirement for up to 13 weeks, which is normally enough time for the MR to complete.
If the Decision is not revised you can appeal and once this has been accepted by the Tribunal Service you can then opt to receive the ESA Assessment rate until your hearing.
Gordon
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