ESA support group reassessed without ESA50?

Hello
I was placed in the ESA support group in 2013. I was reassessed with an ESA50 after 3 years in 2016. Then reassessed with an ESA50 and a WCA after 3 more years in 2019. Two years later in February 2021 I received a letter saying my case had been looked at again and I was retained in the support group but without being asked to complete an ESA50.

Was this a covid-19 short cut on the part of the DWP? Would it also suggest that my next assessment will occur 2 years after the letter, in February 2023?

Hi Gary
Thanks for the reply. I won't ask for an assessor's report as I have this vague belief that this might lead to a new review on the grounds that I can plan and execute a letter.

I think they may have used the information in my successful PIP application one year earlier, February 2020, and as you say, used common sense.

"I won't ask for an assessor's report as I have this vague belief that this might lead to a new review on the grounds that I can plan and execute a letter."

Hi Kevin

Beware of "vague" beliefs! If I say I might be struck by lightning, run over by a bus, die, tomorrow or just about anything else whilst those things "might" happen I suggest its wise to also consider the likelihood of that happening! i share your - and many other claimants - wariness about contacting the DWP, however failing to do so can, on occasion, be counter-productive to the claimants own interests! It's entirely up to you, of course, whether you ask for this report (if there is one) or any other report however it seems highly unlikely to me that simply asking for a report - which a claimant is entitled to do - will result in the adverse outcome you suggest. Whenever I've asked for a copy of of a medical assessment report it has always been sent and has caused no problems to me whatsoever. in fact it can be very useful having that report whether you got the award you hoped for or not. This proved very useful in my case as I was able to use a favourable assessment report for one benefit to call into question an unfavourable assessment report for another benefit! Additionally you need to bear in mind that when you phone to ask for such reports this is usually dealt with by fairly junior staff and not those who assess claims. They will simply arrange for the report to be sent to the claimant rather than triggering a further reassessment of that claim!

I hope the above helps in some way, it is written in good faith. Whilst personally, and like many other members here, I'm very critical of the DWP itself, I must say that almost all of the actual DWP staff I've had to contact over a very long period of time have been very helpful, pleasant and some have even gone "the extra mile" to be so!

Kind regards

Mr B

Hi Mr B and Gary

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really only meant my "vague belief" comment as a jocular tempting fate comment. I may as well add a few positive remarks about my various interactions with the DWP. I have had 3 face-to-face assessments. They have all been conducted fairly, taking into account the letters of support provided from doctors as well as assessment reports from specialists.

The stress I have experienced prior to the face-to-face assessments has been completely off the scale, almost amounting to an actual medical condition, and I do feel that this method of arriving at decisions is unsatisfactory, but during and after the actual assessments I felt the process was reasonably competent.

I don't mean to be flippant about the process of contacting the DWP or influence other forum members so I would be happy if a moderator deleted that particular comment

Thanks

Kevin