a nasty halloween surprise

This is worrying. the esa 50 deadline is being shortened. 6 weeks to 4 from 31st october. What on earth? Can anyone please explain to me how we are to fill out this form, get evidence and get it back in a month? I thought there had to be a change in the welfare reform act before they did this. I have freaked out over this, i bet everyone else is too. Where has this change come from and how come they have kept it so quiet. Technically it will be three weeks, if you include the deadline to post back.

Hi Paula, where did you read this please?

Best wishes,
Rachel

There has been a change in the legislation which reduces the time for the return of form ESA50 from six to four weeks.

See Regulations 23(5) and (6) of this document entitled The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2011.

I was having a look at 'rightsnet' today and this subject came up. I can't see any logical reason for reducing this timeframe, other than to make things(even) more difficult for claimants ...

Hi CD, thankyou for showing me where.

Please, if you can, show me where I can find the unchanged legislation?

Best wishes,
Rachel

If by the unchanged legislation you are referring to the original regulations, it is contained in the The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008.