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ESA re-assesment request
- Moogue
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8 years 9 months ago #137949 by Moogue
ESA re-assesment request was created by Moogue
Hi All,
Firstly I am sorry if this has already been answered in the forum but I wanted to ask a moderator/advisor.
I suffer with Fibromyalgia/CFS/ME, Arthuritis in various places, Depression, BPD & Anxiety...I also have dyslexia and Irlens Syndrome.
I have been claiming ESA since it first replaced IB (2005/6?) and I attended a medical then...since then I have never been asked to provide a sick note or re-attend for a medical. Then the WRAG & Support groups came into being and I was placed into the WRAG group..through some automatic process or divination!...not helped by me moving counties 3 times in the last 6 years.
Anyway..my conditions have worsened a lot since my first medical...and indeed I was sucesfull in my application for PIP in 2013...but even since then things have got worse and my medications stronger and changed.
I am apparently due for reasesment in June next year, but have been advised by my WRAG advisor to get an up-to-date sick note (more on this) and to write to the DWP asking for my claim to be re-assessed as he believes I am in the wrong group too.
The Sick note....My GP will only provide me with a 3month sick note despite having a 20 year history of these conditions..which she will review in 3 months....she doesn't seem to understand that I asked for a full medical report which I was happy to pay for....to add to this she refuses to write on it that I am unfit for WRAG activities, as she is only allowed to state if I am fit for work....but that "I" believe I am unable to participate.....gggrrrr
I don't want to open a can of worms and risk having my monies stopped, reduced etc etc....I have no understanding of this new system but am not always able to attend the WRAG meetings due to my conditions...equally I have recently volunteered for FMA UK just to keep the grey cells ticking over for 6 hrs a week..but how is this going to effect things?
So I guess I am asking how do I go about getting re-assesed? What does it involve? Will there be any changes to my monies? What evidence do I need to provide etc etc etc
Many Thanks in advance...seriously confused and scared
Fliss
Firstly I am sorry if this has already been answered in the forum but I wanted to ask a moderator/advisor.
I suffer with Fibromyalgia/CFS/ME, Arthuritis in various places, Depression, BPD & Anxiety...I also have dyslexia and Irlens Syndrome.
I have been claiming ESA since it first replaced IB (2005/6?) and I attended a medical then...since then I have never been asked to provide a sick note or re-attend for a medical. Then the WRAG & Support groups came into being and I was placed into the WRAG group..through some automatic process or divination!...not helped by me moving counties 3 times in the last 6 years.
Anyway..my conditions have worsened a lot since my first medical...and indeed I was sucesfull in my application for PIP in 2013...but even since then things have got worse and my medications stronger and changed.
I am apparently due for reasesment in June next year, but have been advised by my WRAG advisor to get an up-to-date sick note (more on this) and to write to the DWP asking for my claim to be re-assessed as he believes I am in the wrong group too.
The Sick note....My GP will only provide me with a 3month sick note despite having a 20 year history of these conditions..which she will review in 3 months....she doesn't seem to understand that I asked for a full medical report which I was happy to pay for....to add to this she refuses to write on it that I am unfit for WRAG activities, as she is only allowed to state if I am fit for work....but that "I" believe I am unable to participate.....gggrrrr
I don't want to open a can of worms and risk having my monies stopped, reduced etc etc....I have no understanding of this new system but am not always able to attend the WRAG meetings due to my conditions...equally I have recently volunteered for FMA UK just to keep the grey cells ticking over for 6 hrs a week..but how is this going to effect things?
So I guess I am asking how do I go about getting re-assesed? What does it involve? Will there be any changes to my monies? What evidence do I need to provide etc etc etc
Many Thanks in advance...seriously confused and scared
Fliss
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- Gordon
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8 years 9 months ago #137958 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA re-assesment request
Moogue
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
I'm afraid that your advisor is incorrect, A Fit Note will be of no use in regard your being placed in the Support Group, a Fit Note merely certifies that you have Limited Capability for Work which is already accepted by the DWP when they placed in the WRAG.
To be placed in the Support Group you need to show that you meet one or more of the SG Descriptors and if you want to be re-assessed early that there has been a documented deterioration in your conditions or that you have a new condition which would likely place you in the SG.
Have a look at our ESA Claim guides for the criteria you will need to meet in order to be placed in the SG
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1
A re-assessment will likely result in you needing to complete an ESA50 and you may be asked to attend a face to face assessment.
There are considerable delays in the ESA (re-)assessment process, so it may take some time before a new Decision is made and you would remain subject to any WRAG requirements while the process is done.
Whilst it would seem unlikely, given that previous Decisions on your claim appear to have been made without your input, but you do need to be aware that any new Decision on your claim can leave you in the WRAG, move you to the SG or find you Fit for Work, so you might only want to approach the DWP if you have a real expectation that you meet the criteria for the SG.
If we can help you more then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
I'm afraid that your advisor is incorrect, A Fit Note will be of no use in regard your being placed in the Support Group, a Fit Note merely certifies that you have Limited Capability for Work which is already accepted by the DWP when they placed in the WRAG.
To be placed in the Support Group you need to show that you meet one or more of the SG Descriptors and if you want to be re-assessed early that there has been a documented deterioration in your conditions or that you have a new condition which would likely place you in the SG.
Have a look at our ESA Claim guides for the criteria you will need to meet in order to be placed in the SG
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1
A re-assessment will likely result in you needing to complete an ESA50 and you may be asked to attend a face to face assessment.
There are considerable delays in the ESA (re-)assessment process, so it may take some time before a new Decision is made and you would remain subject to any WRAG requirements while the process is done.
Whilst it would seem unlikely, given that previous Decisions on your claim appear to have been made without your input, but you do need to be aware that any new Decision on your claim can leave you in the WRAG, move you to the SG or find you Fit for Work, so you might only want to approach the DWP if you have a real expectation that you meet the criteria for the SG.
If we can help you more then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Moogue
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8 years 9 months ago #137978 by Moogue
Replied by Moogue on topic ESA re-assesment request
Morning Gordon & Thank You,
I have done the tests for ESA and scored 123 points which places me in the Support group.
What I think the WRAG (Dudley Chamber) advisor was saying was that I needed a sick note to relieve me of the need to attend without being sanctioned.
I agree with you about letting sleeping dogs lie with regards to the DWP, but do you think that if I submit this Sicknote to my WRAG advisor it may kick start an early look at my claim?...as 6 years seems a hell of a long time not to be re-assessed.
Also if I do decide to contact the DWP who do I need to write to? I have the ESA50 form in pdf and copies of the letters from the specialists plus my MRI results.
Should I also submit these to PIP for a re-consideration? I am on Standard Mobility and Standard care.
Many Thanks
Fliss
I have done the tests for ESA and scored 123 points which places me in the Support group.
What I think the WRAG (Dudley Chamber) advisor was saying was that I needed a sick note to relieve me of the need to attend without being sanctioned.
I agree with you about letting sleeping dogs lie with regards to the DWP, but do you think that if I submit this Sicknote to my WRAG advisor it may kick start an early look at my claim?...as 6 years seems a hell of a long time not to be re-assessed.
Also if I do decide to contact the DWP who do I need to write to? I have the ESA50 form in pdf and copies of the letters from the specialists plus my MRI results.
Should I also submit these to PIP for a re-consideration? I am on Standard Mobility and Standard care.
Many Thanks
Fliss
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- Gordon
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8 years 9 months ago #137996 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA re-assesment request
Moogue
We would not expect a Fit Note to excuse a claimant from undertaking Work Related Activity, but if your advisor is prepared to accept one under these circumstances then you should speak to your GP again.
The Support Group is not points based, you can score over 200 points and still not meet any of the SG Descriptors, although this is extremely unlikely, so you need to identify the SG Descriptors that you think you would meet.
I think it very unlikely that you have gone six years without a re-assessment of your claim, it is possible that this was done without requiring your input, although this would be unusual. Even with the current delays, which have only been affecting claims for the last 18 months or so, the most we have heard is about 4 years.
If you want to initiate a re-assessment then all you need to do is to write to the DWP office that is managing your claim, their address will be on the last letter you had in regard to your claim, this is not the JC+ office that you attend for interviews. The latter needs to ask for a re-assessment on the basis of a deteriorated or new condition such that you believe that you now meet the SG criteria.
PIP is a different benefit from ESA with it's own criteria. Do you believe that you meet the criteria for an Enhanced award of either the Daily Living or Mobility components?
Gordon
We would not expect a Fit Note to excuse a claimant from undertaking Work Related Activity, but if your advisor is prepared to accept one under these circumstances then you should speak to your GP again.
The Support Group is not points based, you can score over 200 points and still not meet any of the SG Descriptors, although this is extremely unlikely, so you need to identify the SG Descriptors that you think you would meet.
I think it very unlikely that you have gone six years without a re-assessment of your claim, it is possible that this was done without requiring your input, although this would be unusual. Even with the current delays, which have only been affecting claims for the last 18 months or so, the most we have heard is about 4 years.
If you want to initiate a re-assessment then all you need to do is to write to the DWP office that is managing your claim, their address will be on the last letter you had in regard to your claim, this is not the JC+ office that you attend for interviews. The latter needs to ask for a re-assessment on the basis of a deteriorated or new condition such that you believe that you now meet the SG criteria.
PIP is a different benefit from ESA with it's own criteria. Do you believe that you meet the criteria for an Enhanced award of either the Daily Living or Mobility components?
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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