Award reviewed due to address change?

I'm in receipt of ESA (SG) and notified my local benefits office that I had changed address. I also confirmed in the letter that there were no other changes to report and bank details remained the same.

Next thing is that I received this text from them:-

"We have received the information we asked you for and your ES&A claim is being looked at. You do not need to contact us we will contact you."

They never actually asked me for any information, as stated, I had just written notifying the change of address.

I have heard nothing since, no letters or phone calls. The text they sent cannot be replied to.

Why and should this cause a decision to be looked at again?
Is there anything I should be doing?

Because I have also changed area as well as address I assume it is transferred to a different benefit office but I have not been notified of this or where I come under so have no idea who to contact.

Family helped us move both physically and financially because we couldn't. As well as my own health problems my husband is in serious heart failure and this is causing a lot of worry and stress to us both especially as my previous review took months, we had to go through appeal and get our MP involved before any progress was made.

The thought of a repeat of this with my husband not having long does not bare thinking about.

Finally, my usual payment has been made into my bank but refers to DWP JSA nou DWP ESA as before.

Thanks Mods for your help. Extremely worried. Don't know where we would be without you all, your much appreciated.

ElegantMa wrote: I'm in receipt of ESA (SG) and notified my local benefits office that I had changed address. I also confirmed in the letter that there were no other changes to report and bank details remained the same.

Next thing is that I received this text from them:-

"We have received the information we asked you for and your ES&A claim is being looked at. You do not need to contact us we will contact you."

They never actually asked me for any information, as stated, I had just written notifying the change of address.

I have heard nothing since, no letters or phone calls. The text they sent cannot be replied to.

Why and should this cause a decision to be looked at again?
Is there anything I should be doing?

Because I have also changed area as well as address I assume it is transferred to a different benefit office but I have not been notified of this or where I come under so have no idea who to contact.

Family helped us move both physically and financially because we couldn't. As well as my own health problems my husband is in serious heart failure and this is causing a lot of worry and stress to us both especially as my previous review took months, we had to go through appeal and get our MP involved before any progress was made.

The thought of a repeat of this with my husband not having long does not bare thinking about.

Finally, my usual payment has been made into my bank but refers to DWP JSA nou DWP ESA as before.

Thanks Mods for your help. Extremely worried. Don't know where we would be without you all, your much appreciated.

Hi EM,

A change of address, or indeed a change in your banking details should not be classed as a Change of Circumstances. (C of C)

You have done the right thing in informing the DWP in writing, and you should keep hold of the text, confirming your communication with The DWP.

My only thoughts are that the text that you have received is a standard one used to confirm that you have contacted The DWP, but I can't be sure.

Moving home should not instigate an ESA reassessment in itself, as this should have little or no effect on the limitations suffered that gave you the current ESA award.

As you may know, an ESA award reassessment can take place any time after 3 months of an award, even if the prognosis. (recommended period before reassessment) is longer.

Taking into account the current backlog that The DWP/ATOS have with ESA assessments/reassessments, I would be most surprised if this triggered a reassessment.

I am afraid that there is little that you can do proactively, and you will have to wait and see if they are to reassess your ESA award.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

bro58 wrote:

ElegantMa wrote: I'm in receipt of ESA (SG) and notified my local benefits office that I had changed address. I also confirmed in the letter that there were no other changes to report and bank details remained the same.

Next thing is that I received this text from them:-

"We have received the information we asked you for and your ES&A claim is being looked at. You do not need to contact us we will contact you."

They never actually asked me for any information, as stated, I had just written notifying the change of address.

I have heard nothing since, no letters or phone calls. The text they sent cannot be replied to.

Why and should this cause a decision to be looked at again?
Is there anything I should be doing?

Because I have also changed area as well as address I assume it is transferred to a different benefit office but I have not been notified of this or where I come under so have no idea who to contact.

Family helped us move both physically and financially because we couldn't. As well as my own health problems my husband is in serious heart failure and this is causing a lot of worry and stress to us both especially as my previous review took months, we had to go through appeal and get our MP involved before any progress was made.

The thought of a repeat of this with my husband not having long does not bare thinking about.

Finally, my usual payment has been made into my bank but refers to DWP JSA nou DWP ESA as before.

Thanks Mods for your help. Extremely worried. Don't know where we would be without you all, your much appreciated.

Hi EM,

A change of address, or indeed a change in your banking details should not be classed as a Change of Circumstances. (C of C)

You have done the right thing in informing the DWP in writing, and you should keep hold of the text, confirming your communication with The DWP.

My only thoughts are that the text that you have received is a standard one used to confirm that you have contacted The DWP, but I can't be sure.

Moving home should not instigate an ESA reassessment in itself, as this should have little or no effect on the limitations suffered that gave you the current ESA award.

As you may know, an ESA award reassessment can take place any time after 3 months of an award, even if the prognosis. (recommended period before reassessment) is longer.

Taking into account the current backlog that The DWP/ATOS have with ESA assessments/reassessments, I would be most surprised if this triggered a reassessment.

I am afraid that there is little that you can do proactively, and you will have to wait and see if they are to reassess your ESA award.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Hi EM,

I have just noticed the last part of your post :

"Finally, my usual payment has been made into my bank but refers to DWP JSA nou DWP ESA as before"

ESA is actually "piggy backed" onto the JSA payment system, so if they have had to transfer administration of your ESA payments to a different Benefits Office, this may explain it.

Once, proper payment authority has been executed, it should revert back to ESA (EESA), as the "payer".

bro58

Thank you so very much bro58 for the information you have given. It is much appreciated and put my mind at rest a little. Very quick response from you too, very impressed and grateful. Keep up the great work you all do, its only your support and advice that stops many of us from being pushed over the edge. Thank you All.
Will advise you if there are further developments.