Continuation of contrubution ESA award

Allen wrote:

Hello, I have been placed in the limited capability for work support group on contributions ESA. Does the rule of being on contributions ESA for a year apply or will ESA continue? My year is up at the end of November, but over the past 4 months my condition has worsened, more medication being added to an evergrowing list, and been diagnosed with another condition and just out of hospital two weeks ago. Can I have to re-apply for ESA or is this automatic when the year is up. I have written to my local office four times and still never received a reply on this matter.

I have also applied for DLA but still awaiting the results of that as they have to write to my GP despite being under 6 different consultants at 2 different hospitals. I have Refractory Hypertension (over 2 years) and just been diagnosed with Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Regards
Allen

I assume you mean the Work Related Activity Group rather than the Support Group?

This being the case your ESA(CB) will be limited to a year, after which payments will stop unless you are moved to the Support Group, or you are also eligible for Income Related ESA.

You can only re-apply for ESA(CB) if you can still satisfy the NI Contribution Conditions, that you would have originally had to meet when you applied for ESA(CB), if you were transferred from IB, you will not be able to do this.

If your condition has deteriorated since your last assessment, such that you believe that you would now meet the requirements for the Support Group, then you can request a SuperSession (re-assessment), of your claim. You will need to complete a new ESA50 and will likely need to attend a new Assessment, your claim must be supported by new evidence that supports your assertions.

See the following for more details

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

Gordon