Start of assessment for ESA

My husband has just received the letter from DSS as regards the changes to benefits. As my husband is currently on Income Support/Incapacity Benefit on the grounds of his illness and disability - these benefits are being phased out and ESA/EWA are replacing them. We are to expect a phone call within the next week or so, what should we do now? Should we gather as much supporting evidence for my husbands' case/condition as possible? These being from his doctor, specialist, physio, OT etc. It is almost a year since he has seen his specialist, I am in the process of trying to get him an appointment sooner rather than later as his condition is deteriorating. He is more dependant on his electric wheelchair now and has great difficulty doing even the most basic things, and his epilepsy is not under control.
We are worried about both components of his DLA - mobility & care - will he still be assessed on the current DLA standards or will they assess him on the new PIP standards.

Spasms' wife

Hi Mrs Spasm,

The anticipated telephone call will explain the process to you and warn you to expect the ESA50 form in the next couple of weeks. the process will roll on regardless, even if you don't answer the phone. This FAQ tells you how the process should work


The Transfer Process

You can spend the intervening time gathering evidence and thinking about how you will answer the questions.

You can download an interactive PDF of the form if you wish to complete it like this. However, you would be better waitin until the form has arrived so that you know which version you have been sent - the regulations have changed recently but some areas are using up their supply of old forms.

ESA Forms

ESA claims

As far as your DLA reassessment is concerned, whether to expect a DLA form or an invitation to claim PIP depends on when the award is due to end


Latest information on PIP

If you have any further questions, please come back and ask them on this thread. It will be easier to find in future if you mark it as a favourite now.

Thankyou for getting back to us so promptly.

He was awarded his DLA indefinitely originally, and recently we applied for the care rate to be re-assessed. He was awarded higher rate care, his mobitlity didn't alter from the high rate he was alredy in receipt of. This again has been awarded indefinitely.

Are we right in thinking if they look at his DLA in anyway it will be looked at under the current DLA system and not through the PIP system?

We only asked them to re-assess spasms' care rate on the advice of out gp and the citizens advice bureau. He was awarded that 2/3 weeks ago.

spasms' wife

Thankyou for your reply and putting our minds at ease. We will now carry on collecting our evidence.
Thanks again.
Mrs Spasm