IB50 questionnairreceived and I am confused - HELP

Fifi wrote: I have received a letter today asking me to complete a capability for work questionnaire. It states I need to fill this out and it says that I must fill it out as otherwise my existing benefit will not be converted to ESA. I rang them and told them that I am already on Contribution based ESA and I am in the support group and my ESA started on the 6th January 2012 but they say I still have to fill this IB50 out as you still have to be assessed to see you still fit the criteria of being in the support group. Does anyone know if this is correct? I moved from a house to a bungalow in October 2012 so my DWP office has changed and I don't know whether this has tiggered Atos into asking me to complete all the paperwork again. I am getting very stressed now

It is not unusual for the DWP to send out incorrect or misleading information, although I am surprised to see this particular letter issued again, as there is a specialist team within the DWP handling transfers, and they really should know that you have already been transferred.

That said, as you have been in the Support Group for a year, it is also perfectly possible that this is a scheduled re-assessment of your claim, and you would need to complete the ESA50 in order to continue receiving your benefit.

As there is still some confusion I would suggest you contact the DWP again, and this time ask to speak to a Customer Manager, this normally requires a call back, these people are much more switched on than the call centre staff and should be able to tell you what is going on.

But lacking any further info I would recommend you complete and return the ESA50 as requested.

Gordon

Fifi wrote: Many thanks Gordon, I downloaded the form last time, so it is just a case of updating my personal details and meds and some other conditions which are now present. Glad I won't have to write out the whole form again as I have trouble writing now. I will send it off and fingers crossed. I used all the information on this site to help me complete the foirms last time and I got placed straight into the support group so I hope the same will have again.

It is OK to copy your previous content, but do give some thought as to why your condition ahas remained the same or deteriorated since your last assessment, as ATOS and the DWP Decision Maker are liable to make their own assumptions regarding this.

Gordon