Documents Destroyed

Reccently, I made a subject acess request from 2010 for my 1st WCA. The DWP supplied only the ESA85A although a ESA113 had been used. They said that most of the other info no longer exists as their policy is to keep them for only 14 months if there’s no appeal.
Is this correct?
Would they have not kept the ESA113?
Do you know what is ‘The Med 3’?
Cheers.

hugh mann wrote: Reccently, I made a subject acess request from 2010 for my 1st WCA. The DWP supplied only the ESA85A although a ESA113 had been used. They said that most of the other info no longer exists as their policy is to keep them for only 14 months if there’s no appeal.
Is this correct?
Would they have not kept the ESA113?
Do you know what is ‘The Med 3’?
Cheers.

Hi hm,

Yes, the DWP have stated in response to an FOI request that they destroy documentation after 14 months, see : www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/16691/res...DDR%20Guide.doc.html

However, I am aware of people who have obtained DWP Documentation going back 10 years or more.

I am surprised that they have not kept all your documentation, if you have a continuous live ESA claim from that time.

There is a chance that your G.P. practice may have a copy of : The ESA 113 Questionnaire on your G.P. records :

Requesting your medical records

Although there may be a charge for these :

Charging for medical records

A Med 3 is the "fit note" / "sick note" issued by one's G.P.

Just because it states that one has been "referred to " as evidence, does not mean that one existed.

We have seen the Med 3 referred to on many ESA85/ESA85A Medical Reports, where one never existed.

It seems that the LiMA software used by ATOS to compile the Med Report generates "stock phrases", and the HCP is simply failing to use the applicable ones.

If you unhappy with the ESA113 not being available, you could involve : The ICO

Whether they can assist or not is a different matter.

See also : DWP Data Protection Policy

bro58

Hi hm,

See more FOI Requests on Document Retention below, which may be more current :

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/retention...data#incoming-226376

Or you could search or make a fresh FOI yourself : Here.

I will edit this post to add further info if/when I come across it.

bro58