Assessment nearing ESA :(

Mathew wrote: Thank-you for replying bro58, one thing that I can't keep thinking about is that I have no written confirmation of how long my award is for and when I should be reassessed. I did get told verbally over the phone and on the medical record it does say the medium term, but still thats nothing in pure writing to make me stop worrying. Can they really reassess me within 3 months if the medium term is stated on the medical report sheet by the HCP(ESA85A)?

I am afraid we cannot give you the surety that you are looking for. ESA is not awarded for a particular period and the re-assessment date does not form part of the Decision so the DWP are entitled to re-assess a claimant at any time after three months have elapsed since the previous Decision.

In reality they stick to the re-assessment date set by the previous process, also, there are extraordinary delays in the ESA process at the moment with more than 700,000 outstanding re-assessments, as a result the DWP have suspended re-assessments for the foreseeable future, so I think there is little chance of them re-assessing you any earlier than currently intended and it may be even later, as the actions taken so far are only just reducing the number outstanding.

Gordon

Mathew wrote: Can i request anything in writing from them though stating how long the award is for and advised reassessment date just for piece of mind?

You could try requesting the information in writing, some areas issue an ESA72 and one of the items on this document is the re-assessment date, but at the risk of repeating myself, it does not define the length of the award and you would have no redress against the DWP is they assessed you earlier.

Gordon