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DWP release update on ESA migration
Morglin
Posts: 15,925 Forumite
The following update has been released on their site regarding the migration to ESA of those on IB,SDA and IS:
........................"Incapacity benefits – the reassessment process
Between October 2010 and Spring 2014 customers who receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support paid on the grounds of illness or disability will be assessed for Employment and Support Allowance.
We will write to customers when their benefit becomes due for reassessment to tell them about the changes. We will also phone them to answer any questions they may have and find out if they need extra help. They do not need to contact us before they receive this letter.
*Customers will then be sent a medical questionnaire to complete and return and this will be used to decide if they need to attend a Work Capability Assessment. It is important that customers provide as much detail as possible when completing the questionnaire as this will be used to help decide if the customer is entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If they need to attend an assessment, the customer will be phoned to arrange an appointment. They will not need to attend an assessment if a decision can be made on the information provided on the medical questionnaire.
Using the information from the questionnaire, the Work Capability Assessment and any other evidence provided we will then decide if they are entitled to ESA.
People will continue to receive their current benefit, as long as they meet the conditions of entitlement, until we have reassessed their claim.
If a customer does not return their medical questionnaire or attend a Work Capability Assessment when asked, this may affect their benefit.
If the customer can get ESA
We will phone and write to the customer to tell them they can get ESA. We will transfer their claim automatically and they will not need to do anything.
No one moving from their existing benefit to ESA will see a reduction in the level of their benefit entitlement at the point of change.
If we assess that an eventual return to work is realistic, we will place the customer in the "ESA Work Related Activity Group". This means they will:
(*As this now confirms, and contrary to what was stated by the government to begin with, not everyone will have to attend an assessment with ATOS, provided enough medical evidence and info is provided at the form stage to enable a decision to be made by a DM.)
It is now thought that the migration for current claimants, not due a regular review, will begin in the Spring of 2011.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/ib-reassessing-claims/ib-reassessment-process/
Lin
........................"Incapacity benefits – the reassessment process
Between October 2010 and Spring 2014 customers who receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support paid on the grounds of illness or disability will be assessed for Employment and Support Allowance.
We will write to customers when their benefit becomes due for reassessment to tell them about the changes. We will also phone them to answer any questions they may have and find out if they need extra help. They do not need to contact us before they receive this letter.
*Customers will then be sent a medical questionnaire to complete and return and this will be used to decide if they need to attend a Work Capability Assessment. It is important that customers provide as much detail as possible when completing the questionnaire as this will be used to help decide if the customer is entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If they need to attend an assessment, the customer will be phoned to arrange an appointment. They will not need to attend an assessment if a decision can be made on the information provided on the medical questionnaire.
Using the information from the questionnaire, the Work Capability Assessment and any other evidence provided we will then decide if they are entitled to ESA.
People will continue to receive their current benefit, as long as they meet the conditions of entitlement, until we have reassessed their claim.
If a customer does not return their medical questionnaire or attend a Work Capability Assessment when asked, this may affect their benefit.
If the customer can get ESA
We will phone and write to the customer to tell them they can get ESA. We will transfer their claim automatically and they will not need to do anything.
No one moving from their existing benefit to ESA will see a reduction in the level of their benefit entitlement at the point of change.
If we assess that an eventual return to work is realistic, we will place the customer in the "ESA Work Related Activity Group". This means they will:
- have to take part in Work Focused Interviews with their personal adviser
- get support to help them prepare for suitable work
- get extra money on top of their basic benefit called a "work related activity component".
- not have to take part in any work related activity, although they can do so voluntarily if they want to
- get extra money on top of their basic benefit called a "support component".........................
(*As this now confirms, and contrary to what was stated by the government to begin with, not everyone will have to attend an assessment with ATOS, provided enough medical evidence and info is provided at the form stage to enable a decision to be made by a DM.)
It is now thought that the migration for current claimants, not due a regular review, will begin in the Spring of 2011.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/ib-reassessing-claims/ib-reassessment-process/
Lin
You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset. 
0
Comments
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I'm not sure it was ever the intention to send everyone to a medical but everyone will undergo the WCA.0
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