Re applying for ESA

Hello, can anyone advise me - I have been in ESA support group for two years due to mental health probs. It runs out soon - does DWP contact me or should I just phone up for a new form and make a new claim? Thanks

Oh thank you for that info!

But my initial letter said I had been placed in the support group for two years - it won't just stop then?

Thanks Gordon.

HelenC wrote: Oh thank you for that info!

But my initial letter said I had been placed in the support group for two years - it won't just stop then?

Thanks Gordon.

Hi HC,

No, Your ESA in The SG cannot just stop !!

You would have to go through a totally fresh reassessment before any change can be made to you ESA SG Award.

As Gordon has stated, there are huge backlogs with the ESA system, and many, many current ESA recipients have had their reassessments deferred to a later date.

Have a look at : This Topic from a couple of months ago.

I know someone, who was originally given a 2 year prognosis on their ESA award in October 2011, they have still not been reassessed.

They rang DWP ESA in April this year to query when they could expect their next reassessment, they were told July 2015.

They prepared their PDF ESA50, but July 2015 came and went, nothing heard !

They rang DWP ESA last week only to be told that their reassessment has now been deferred until July 2017.

I know of many others who are into their 3rd, 4th and 5th years of what was originally a 2 year prognosis on their ESA award.

bro58

Ah that's really helpful thank you!

If I pluck up courage to phone up (and I take on board your advice that phoning can't trigger a reassessment) I will post up here to add to the picture.

Great website and help, thanks everyone.

Gordon wrote:

HelenC wrote: Hello, can anyone advise me - I have been in ESA support group for two years due to mental health probs. It runs out soon - does DWP contact me or should I just phone up for a new form and make a new claim? Thanks

ESA is an indefinite award so you will continue to receive your payments until a new Decision is made on your claim.

There is no requirement for you to contact the DWP about this, they will arrange for a new ESA50 to be issued when they are ready.

There are still considerable delays in the ESA assessment process and many members have found, when they contacted the DWP, that their re-assessments have been deferred for anything up to two years. Phoning the ESA call centre will not initiate a re-assessment.

ESA: 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

Gordon

I contacted the above number to ask if they knew when my reassessment was as it's due early this year but all they could tell me was how long my original award was for, which I already knew. They did say however not be be surprised if my renewal forms don't arrive when I expect them to as there is a backlog!! They also said that the only people who could advised me on reassessment dates was Medical Services!!!