How and what percentage of ESA forms/Paper trail

Apples

I'll answer what I can but much of what your asking about is not in the public domain.

When the assessment process is started, the DWP send a file )an ESA55), containing your information to ATOS for them to process you. When you return your ESA50, it and any evidence attached to it is added to the file. When ATOS have completed their assessment, whether this includes a face to face or not, your file with the ATOS medical report, is returned to the DWP.

When ATOS receive your ESA50 they carry out a pre-board check to see whether a WCA assessment is required, if not then your file is returned as above, otherwise an appointment is scheduled.

The ATOS medical report will contain a recommendation as to whether a claimant meets the requirements for ESA and if so, which group they should be placed in.

I don't have a figure for how often the DWP Decision Maker agrees or disagrees with the ATOS recommendation, The figure for when the DM disagreed with the ATOS recommendation used to be low, 2% according to the Harrington Report, it certainly higher now.

There are no published statistics for when an ESA113 is requested or under what cercumstances.

Gordon