Confused over renewal of my ESA

I have been sent the dreaded renewal forms (ESA50 01/13), and this is my first time with the new forms. I just have some general questions......

1. It says to send back the forms to ATOS, has this always been the case ? I thought it went back to the Jobcentre, I could be wrong though.

2. My previous 2 renewals didn't require a medical as I have been ill for many years and provide evidence. Has this possibility changed, or is there still a chance I could potentially pass without a medical ? As I know the powers that be are making it harder and harder to claim so things change all the time. So I was just wondering if some people are still getting through without medicals for renewals.

3. I have only ever filled in one form, which is I guess the ESA50 or IB equivalent before that. This is usually every 12 months for me. Has this changed, or do some people still just fill in the 1 form (ESA50) ? I am sure I have seen other forms mentioned on here for ESA that I don't fill in.

4. I have attended 4 WFI in the past. If I end up back in the WRAG group, do I have to do 6 or just 2 on top of the 4 already done ? Am I able to see the same staff member as before or will this change ?


Thanks for your help.

Benson wrote: I have been sent the dreaded renewal forms (ESA50 01/13), and this is my first time with the new forms. I just have some general questions......

1. It says to send back the forms to ATOS, has this always been the case ? I thought it went back to the Jobcentre, I could be wrong though.

2. My previous 2 renewals didn't require a medical as I have been ill for many years and provide evidence. Has this possibility changed, or is there still a chance I could potentially pass without a medical ? As I know the powers that be are making it harder and harder to claim so things change all the time. So I was just wondering if some people are still getting through without medicals for renewals.

3. I have only ever filled in one form, which is I guess the ESA50 or IB equivalent before that. This is usually every 12 months for me. Has this changed, or do some people still just fill in the 1 form (ESA50) ? I am sure I have seen other forms mentioned on here for ESA that I don't fill in.

4. I have attended 4 WFI in the past. If I end up back in the WRAG group, do I have to do 6 or just 2 on top of the 4 already done ? Am I able to see the same staff member as before or will this change ?


Thanks for your help.

1. ESA50's have always been returned to ATOS, they are also sent out from ATOS.

Sometimes The ATOS address is a PO Box Number at a DWP Benefits Delivery Centre. The ESA50 still ends up at ATOS though.

2. It is entirely possible that an award of ESA can be made on each assessment and reassessment without the need of a face to face.

This is dependent on whether ATOS feel that you have provided enough evidence within the ESA50 and any extra evidence provided, to make a recommendation

3. Each award of ESA comes with a prognosis, which is the recommended length of the award before reassessment. One should expect to receive a new ESA50 a few months before the prognosis of any current award is coming to an end. :

How often will I be reviewed

4. WFI's are usually carried out in groups of 6. However, this will depend on whether the JCP Adviser feels that there would be a chance of you gaining employment and whether they feel that it would be worthwhile continuing with any WRA.

I can't really give a definitive answer. Again, whether you would continue to see the same JCP Advisor is not really something that I could offer advice on.

bro58

Hi B,

Just to add, You may wish to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the : "New ESA50 form" Guides

On this page :

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 ATOS

bro58