leed46 wrote: Hi Folks
Re: Am I In The Assessment Phase of ESA?
I received IB as part of DLA. When my DLA was renewed for 5 years last Christmas (LRM & HRC- no medical), this prompted migration of my IB to ESA. Oddly, I was called-in by Atos for a medical before the expiry date for the completion and return of the ESA50. So I wrote to both Atos and the DWP instructing them to wait until they received my completed form and that I wouldn't be attending a medical until they had. It wasn't a rant though: calm, constructive and peppered with bits of legislation that I cut n' pasted from various sites.
I fully expected them to send me a new appointment and half expected them to suspend my benefit completely or even throw out my claim, but to my complete surprise, I continue to be paid my old Incapacity Benefit: same amount on the same dates. Its been 32 days since they took delivery of my completed ESA50 and the additional 40+pages of evidence; I've not heard a peep from them. Is it that I am now in the 13 week assessment phase for ESA? Flicking through the guides, I had interpreted the assessment phase as paying a different (lower) rate to existing IB.
Fond Regards
Leed46
Hi l46,
I am a bit confused with the opening line of your post, "I received IB as part of DLA", as IB and DLA are two totally different benefits, and are not interdependent.
If you are being transferred over from IB to ESA, there is no assessment phase. The assessment phase of 13 weeks is only for fresh claims of ESA.
If you are sure that they have received your ESA50, the ball is firmly in their court.
You will continue to receive your IB until a decision is made by The DWP Decision Maker. This could be done without you having a face to face assessment, as the ATOS HCP can assess you on paper alone, and create an ESA85A Medical Report, which the DM would refer to when making a decision.
We have heard from members where they have received an appointment for a face to face before the ESA50 has been received, or read. This can be due to the fact that a different ATOS department makes the appointments.
It should not happen though as your ESA50 and any extra evidence is supposed to be looked at to decide whether a face to face is needed.
Many of of members have waited several months after returning their ESA50's before hearing anything.
If you are successfully transferred over to The WRAG or The SG of ESA, you will receive no less than you were receiving before the transfer, under Transitional Protection.
All this is explained in our :
IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s bro58
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