ESA 50 form - Capability for Work when already in

I have just received an ESA50 to complete by 23/04. I am already in the Support Group as I have been awarded an indefinite award of DLA on physical grounds, and have never had to complete one before now. Is this the usual practice, or are people like me being singled out?

Thanks for any clarification.

Mike

Mike wrote: I have just received an ESA50 to complete by 23/04. I am already in the Support Group as I have been awarded an indefinite award of DLA on physical grounds, and have never had to complete one before now. Is this the usual practice, or are people like me being singled out?

Thanks for any clarification.

Mike

Hi M,

Welcome to Benefits and Work Forum

Theoretically ESA is awarded indefinitely, (open ended)

However, in reality, each ESA award 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 !

So, yes, it would be normal to have to go through regular periodic ESA 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 SG, so you should make it clear that you are.

It is therefore important that you reiterate how and why you still qualify for The 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 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 SG last time, you could cite that also.

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.

With regards to your DLA Indefinite Award, see : This Post in our Spotlight Area at the top of The forum.

If you have any DLA/PIP related queries can you please start a new topic.

You should Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser now.

That way you can return to this topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have by replying to the topic.

See : This Topic also !

Thanks in anticipation of your future co-operation in keeping all your ESA related queries to this topic !

bro58

I had the same letter through yesterday so it may be that they have started targeting indefinite DLA award claimants?

I'm so stressed and anxious... as if things weren't hard enough

I would definitely get someone to fill the form in for/with you.

Good luck!