Oh no not an ESA50

Hello All

As the subject says, a little less than two years after the last one, a ESA50 has appeared through my letterbox, much to my dismay.

Already appealing to a Tribunal my unsuccessful DLA to PIP migration, the resurgence of one medical condition and currently in the middle of extensive tests for a newish medical condition - the very last thing I needed to see was this ugly little bug appearing.

I was successful with my first ESA50, which was a SDA to ESA migration. I was put in the support group without a F2F, which I sincerely hope will happen again, otherwise Im not sure how I will cope, in all honesty.

Can you tell me whether there have been any changes to the ESA guides both physical and mental that I downloaded last time dated October 2013?

Many thanks for all your advice.

Matey wrote: Hello All

As the subject says, a little less than two years after the last one, a ESA50 has appeared through my letterbox, much to my dismay.

Already appealing to a Tribunal my unsuccessful DLA to PIP migration, the resurgence of one medical condition and currently in the middle of extensive tests for a newish medical condition - the very last thing I needed to see was this ugly little bug appearing.

I was successful with my first ESA50, which was a SDA to ESA migration. I was put in the support group without a F2F, which I sincerely hope will happen again, otherwise Im not sure how I will cope, in all honesty.

Can you tell me whether there have been any changes to the ESA guides both physical and mental that I downloaded last time dated October 2013?

Many thanks for all your advice.

Hi M,

Theoretically ESA is awarded indefinitely, (open ended)

However, in reality, each ESA awarded comes with a recommended period (The Prognosis) before it is reassessed.

See : How often will I be reviewed

From our : ESA FAQ’s

The ESA decision notice letter that you receive after a decision, does not include the prognosis.

Normally, the longest period between re-assessments is 3 years !

So, it is normal to have to go through regular periodic re-assessments.

Just to make you aware that : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (aka HAAS) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15 now carry out ESA Assessments/Re-Assessments.

There have not been any changes to ESA Legislation since January 2013, however you should always use our most current Guides.

There have been some changes to The ESA50 itself.

Now that you have The ESA50, you may want to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the guides on this page, 2nd & 3rd links down :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or Maximus. (aka CHDA, aka HAAS.)

You should treat this re-assessment as if it was your first assessment and not assume that The Assessor will have access to any of your previous evidence. They may not even know that you are currently in The SG, so you should make it clear that you are.

It is therefore important that you reiterate how and why you still qualify for The SG, in that the limitations that you suffer as a result of your medical conditions have not changed nor diminished to such an extent that you no longer qualify for The SG.

Nor have you learned to deal with or adapt to your limitations since your last assessment.

If you are aware how and why you were placed into The SG last time, you could cite that also.

If you want to obtain fresh evidence such as a letter of support from your G.P., obtain it yourself and post it with the ESA50.

Do not rely on Maximus/DWP contacting your G.P. , even if you request that they do so.

They seldom do and are not legally obliged to do so.

You should Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser now.

That way you can return to this topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have by replying to the topic.

See : This Topic also !

Thanks in anticipation of your future co-operation in keeping all your ESA related queries to this topic !

bro58

Hello all,

Over three months after submitting my ESA50 and hearing absolutely nothing, I have finally received a letter today. However I am confused as to whether it is my actual decision notice or the annual rate letter from the DWP.

It says Your claim for employment support allowance
A change in the employment and support allowance rate payable

We have looked at your claim again following a change.
From 12 January 2016 your Employment and Support Allowance will be £109.30 per a week.
This is because of: a change in money coming in
Your circumstances mean you will qualify for a Christmas Bonus payment.

I have tried phoning them but cannot get through, I would appreciate your thoughts as to whether this is my decision notice.

Many thanks

Hello All

I have now received a decision notice and I am so relieved to say that I have remained in the support group for ESA again, without a F2F.

Many thanks to all at B & W!

I imagine this is because I have evidence that indisputably proves I more than meet, one descriptor that gains me the support group. I am fortunate that this particular disability is catered for with ESA, because it is not with PIP.

Great news about your ESA award Matey! Thanks for letting us know - and for your kind words about B+W