ESA review.

With your help I filled in the ESA 50 to renew my current ESA claim.

I have great difficulty walking a majority of the time.The office they are due to send me to is several floors up and accessible by a lift but I stated in an emergency I would be unable to get down stairs. Also the office I went to last time has no parking outside. The car park is a 15 minute walk away. Someone kindly dropped me at the door and picked me up last time. But I don't know if I will have anyone to help this year. I can drive but cannot use public transport. I know of another Atos office but again no parking close by.

Will they always call you in for a medical?

Can I insist on going to an office where I can park outside?

Plus, I sent the form back for last Tuesdays deadline, how long will they take to let me know either a medical date or if they are continuing or denying my claim?

Sorry to ask so many questions.

Hi Lady L,

It is not certain that you would have to undergo a face2face assessment (it would not be a 'medical' as such), many people do get awarded ESA without. There is a better chance of this is information and evidence is provided to go alongside the ESA50 form.

I don't think the claimant is able to 'insist' on anything during the whole process. You can certainly contact ATOS and ask for the assessment to be carried out somewhere accessible for you. It might help if you ask for this as a 'reasonable adjustment' for your limitations.

It could take a few weeks or several months for you to hear anything. DWP/ATOS seem to be getting further and further behind

How long until they make a decision?