Back in 2014, Benefits and Work first broke the news that repeat work capability assessments were being deferred for two years because of the massive backlog built up by Atos.
Now, under Maximus, there is evidence that further deferrals may be taking place.
We have heard from a number of posters on the forum who say that they have been told that an expected review of their employment and support allowance award will not now take place.
One poster told us:
“I was meant to be reassessed for ESA in 2015, but it was deferred because of the backlog. I expected the form sometime this month, but at a recent WFI my work coach said that it had been deferred for another two years.”
Another wrote:
“The same thing happened to me as I have previously posted. I was due to be reassessed Jan 2017 but when I rang DWP was advised it had been put back to Jan 2019.”
A third has remained without a review for even longer:
“Same here. Paper assessment 2009, support group, paper assessment 2012, support group. Nothing since, nearly five years now.”
Another member also phoned the DWP to find out when they were due for reassessment:
“My paperwork stated I was due for reassessment December 2016 but when I finally plucked up courage to ring up yesterday they said it was now December 2018.”
We’d be very interested to hear from other readers about whether your WCA has been deferred or not and, also, which group you are in: support group or work-related activity group. You can comment below.
