very early esa review

My husband was awarded esa back in march 2013. he's in the support group ( contribution based ) yesterday he received a new pack to fill in and i'm just wondering if this is extremely early. I'm sure he has to fill it all in again and i wonder if it's ok to put down the same information as last time. thanks for any replies

Hi Winston,

As ESA50 forms are sent out 3-4 months ahead time, it looks as if your husband was given 12 months in the Support Group. This is on the short side but not excessively so (reassessment can actually happen at any time after 3 months has passed since the original decision).

I'm afraid that you do have to fill in this form and submit it on time, DWP make no allowances for Christmas and New Year. If you prefer, you can use the pdf version of the form.

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

You should provide all relevant information and evidence again, do not assume that DWP have any prior knowledge of your husband's case. As well as showing that his condition has not changed (or has worsened, if that is the case), you should also show that your husband has not been able to 'adapt' to his condition. Don't forget that the descriptors changed early last year, make sure that you take this into account when completing the ESA50

ESA claims and appeals

Please come back to this topic if/when you have further questions. You will find it easily in future if you bookmark/favourite it on your web browser and we will have the advantage of keeping everything in one place

thank you so much for the prompt reply. i did notice a change in the wording so i'm re-reading the form very carefully. I'm sure everyone experiences this stress. Not sure how to bookmark but i'll have a go. Thanks again!

Mrs Hurtyback wrote: do not assume that DWP have any prior knowledge of your husband's case.

They are not allowed to access the previous information given under the Data Protection Act 1998[/quote] unless it fits one of the eight criteria (it does but they chose to ignore it) or with a court order. I've sued them once but they just don't care. If they do it again with my ESA (IR) claim I'll sue them again. After costs such as flights back to the UK I was 600 quid better off, not to be sneezed at. There actions or rather lack of them is this regard are nothing short of criminal.

They can have access to prior knowledge but refuse to do so for supposed legal reasons.