Double whammy

Not only have PIP but also got ESA now. Filled in PIP form and 4 weeks later got ESA. Stress out of 10 = 100

pools211 wrote: Not only have PIP but also got ESA now. Filled in PIP form and 4 weeks later got ESA. Stress out of 10 = 100

Hi p211,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Yes, I can fully understand how stressful this must be !

We have heard from a number of members in a similar situation !

Theoretically ESA is awarded indefinitely, (open ended)

However, in reality, each ESA awarded comes with a recommended period (The Prognosis) before it is reassessed.

See : How often will I be reviewed

From our : ESA FAQ’s

The ESA decision notice letter that you receive after a decision, does not include the prognosis.

Normally, the longest period between re-assessments is 3 years !

Therefore, it would be normal to have to go through regular periodic re-assessments.

Just to make you aware that : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (aka HAAS) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15 now carry out ESA Assessments/Re-Assessments.

There have not been any changes to ESA Legislation since January 2013, however you should always use our most current Guides.

There have been some changes to The ESA50 itself.

Now that you have The ESA50, you may want to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the guides on this page, 2nd & 3rd links down :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or Maximus. (aka CHDA, aka HAAS.)

You should treat this re-assessment as if it was your first assessment and not assume that The Assessor will have access to any of your previous evidence. They may not even know that you are currently in The WRAG/SG.

It is therefore important that you reiterate how and why you still qualify for The WRAG/SG, in that the limitations that you suffer as a result of your medical conditions have not changed nor diminished to such an extent that you no longer qualify for The WRAG/SG.

Nor have you learned to deal with or adapt to your limitations since your last assessment.

If you are aware how and why you were placed into The WRAG/SG last time, you could make them aware of that as well.

If you are currently in The WRAG, but feel that your medical conditions have changed or deteriorated since the time of your previous re-assessment to such an extent that your resulting limitations now qualify you for entry to The SG, you should make that clear !

If you want to obtain fresh evidence such as a letter of support from your G.P., obtain it yourself and post it with the ESA50.

Do not rely on Maximus/DWP contacting your G.P. , even if you request that they do so.

They seldom do, and are not legally obliged to do so.

You might want to Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser. That way you can return to this topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have by replying to the topic.

bro58

You have my sympathy! I put my PIP form in the post on the Saturday, the ESA forms arrived on the Tuesday(and I had spinal surgery 9 days after that)!