Just to share my recent experience which differs somewhat from the information in your guides. Having written a long letter explaining why my daughter's ESA assessment of 12 points was wrong and asking for a mandatory reconsideration I recieved a reply from Belfast within one week. Of course the original decision was upheld and the letter (no phone call) from the decision maker did not address my points. Only one sentenace refered at all to my comments. The letter invited me to call if I wished to discuss. I called and got through to the call center who said they would send a message to the decision maker to call me. I was also told that there was a new target to deal with all mandatory reconsiderations within 2 weeks. Needless to say no callback recieved. I called again asking for an extension of the time to lodge an appeal - refused. Anyway appeal has gone in just in time. Hope to receive some proper treatment from the Justice Department.
