How many assessment forms get 'lost'?

Just had a call from my local JC after my sis in law took in my latest sick note for my ESA claim. They said my claim was shut down because I hadn't returned my assessment form. I returned it on the 24th of last month, 4 days before the deadline, but my claim was shut down on the 26th, even though I had a sick note to cover me til the 1st April.!
I was wondering how many assessment forms that they actually 'lose' ?

Carole wrote: Just had a call from my local JC after my sis in law took in my latest sick note for my ESA claim. They said my claim was shut down because I hadn't returned my assessment form. I returned it on the 24th of last month, 4 days before the deadline, but my claim was shut down on the 26th, even though I had a sick note to cover me til the 1st April.!
I was wondering how many assessment forms that they actually 'lose' ?

Hi C,

There are no statistics available in the public domain regarding "loss" of ESA50's etc !!

Going on feedback from members here, cases of ESA50's going missing are in the minority.

If you have proof of posting/delivery, you could use that as evidence in trying to get your ESA claim reinstated.

ESA Claims can be closed for failing to return your ESA50 by the deadline date provided.

This is why we always advise the following :

Sending Documents to the DWP, ATOS, Capita or Maximus.

You could try contacting : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (aka HAAS) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15 first to ensure that it has not turned up.

Failing that, if CHDA state that they have already returned your file to The DWP, you may have to request an MR of the decision to close your ESA claim for non return of the ESA50.

Your fit note has no relevance to your ESA claim being closed for non return of The ESA50.

You will be classed as being found fit for work (not having Limited Capability for Work [LCW] ) on a technicality

This is covered by : ESA Reg 22. (2008) as amended "6 weeks" to "4 weeks", "4 weeks" to "3 weeks" and "2 weeks to "1 week" by : The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2011 @ 23. (5) & (6)

See our : ESA MR/Appeals Guidance

In the mean time, you could make a start on the PDF ESA50, if the other one doesn't turn up, it may help if you have the PDF version ready to go :

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 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 have always sent my forms back by special delivery. Expensive but at least you have the evidence it has been tracked and delivered. My ESA forms usually go in fairly close to the close date so I ring every day until they confirm they actually have it in their sweaty mitts !

Always a great worry it might get mislaid or lost.

I never trust Recorded delivery for anything important.

After reading the advice here I returned mine today via Recorded Delivery just to be on the safe side.

I use recorded delivery and find that it has always got there OK. It is not expensive (under £3 usually) and you can look up a code and see the signature when it has been delivered.

I noticed that it is the same signature, "D" for the last two application forms, sent to Wolverhampton. I wonder whether it is the same person collecting the post or that is what they have to sign.