MariW wrote: I could weep. The new form won’t appear on the DWP website until the changeover, thus reducing important preparation and writing-up time. (I’m like the most sluggish of snails at best.) Obviously, there’s no point anybody working on the current form unless they know they are going to receive an ESA50 before the end of January. Thanks again for your detailed answers, Gordon, particularly as there’s little information to be had.
Just to be clear for anybody reading this.
The new ESA descriptors are substantially the same as the current ones, the changes clarify areas that are currently ambiguous, however you will still have to wait for the new guides to see the specifics of the changes.
Claimants will continue to be assessed using the old form until 28/01/13, anybody issued an ESA50 prior to this date will continue to be assessed using the current form even though their medical and the Decision on their claim may be after 28/01/13.
The new form will not be sent to anybody until 28/01/13 or after.
So if you are currently being assess or transferred to ESA, this change does not affect you.
Gordon
