IB to ESA transfer - question

zzzLazyDaisy

I am just wondering if anyone knows how the timetable for the move from IB to ESA is going?

I am in receipt of HRC HRM DLA which means that I am exempt from the IB reviews. I understood that exempt IB claimants would be among the first people to be moved to ESA, so I have been watching for the brown envelope since last February, but as yet I have heard nothing.

It isn't that I am in any great hurry to move to ESA, but it takes a while to get doctors letters and supporting evidence. ESA will only accept medical evidence that is less than 6 month old, so the evidence that I originally collected (thinking I'd be one of the first) is now out of date.

I recently read that it is planned to move everyone over by Feb 2014 (I am sure it was 2012, originally) so there isn't a lot of point in me gathering more up-to-date reports until I know what is happening.

Anyone else exempt and still waiting to hear?

Trialia

I'm on HRM and LRC and undergoing my IB to ESA migration review right now, so I think it'll be a while for you because they probably still have to go through the HRM/MRC people before they get to HRM/HRC.

zzzLazyDaisy

That is what I mean...

HRC people are exempt from IB reviews, whereas all other DLA claimants are not exempt. When the migration was announced, they said all exempt people would be moved first (you can be exempt because of a specific medical condition and/or being on HRC - I qualify under both criteria). So I should have been one of the first - and certainly before people with LRC or MRC.

It doesn't make sense.

Cpt.Scarlet

The DWPs transfer plans were only ever an intention, which could and undoubtedly has been influenced by local conditions and the need to maintain a certain level of throughput.

Bottom line is for the individual, you won't know until you get the phone call and/or letter.

Your best strategy is to get ready by understanding the WCA criteria, rather than the questions in the ESA50 and making sure you have up to date evidence wherever possible.

Trialia

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

That is what I mean...

HRC people are exempt from IB reviews, whereas all other DLA claimants are not exempt. When the migration was announced, they said all exempt people would be moved first (you can be exempt because of a specific medical condition and/or being on HRC - I qualify under both criteria). So I should have been one of the first - and certainly before people with LRC or MRC.

It doesn't make sense.

Oh, really? That seems an odd way to go about it, but so do most of theirs. Perhaps they decided to swap it about and didn't bother telling anyone? Wouldn't be the first time.

sunnyone

Im another on the higher rate of both componants and I have never had a medical as I was adjudged to be 80% disabled 20 years ago on paper which was before I even got DLA (was done in the three months waiting time for DLA) so I was exempt on two grounds from the PCA.

I hope I dont have to have a medical, I have plenty of medical evidence to prove it would be impossible for me to work, what can a deaf, powerchair user with very limited use of the primary hand do? Plus dozens of other health problems.

I should go into the support group on at least three criteria but who knows till it happens?

How do we deaf people deal with ATOS as Ive heard that everyone uses the phone to arrange appointments (you will have the same problem tralia?)?

zzzLazyDaisy

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

and making sure you have up to date evidence wherever possible.

This is actually one of the problems. I did have up-to-date medical reports for everything (thinking I'd be one of the first to be called up) but it is all dated over 6 months ago now, so ESA won't accept it. There seems little point in getting my consultants all to do fresh reports 'just in case' if there is no way of knowing when they will be needed.

Fortunately I have a good relationship with all my medical advisers and I expect that they will re-issue letters for me when needed.

preciousillusions

I'm on HRC and LRM and have not had the new forms through either, still on IB.

Prinzessilein

I have never had a medical - neither for my IB nor for my DLA (Lower Rate, both components). I send sick/fit-notes every few months.

I'm not sure, but I think it's to do with the fact that I have autism/ASD/Asperger's and attending a medical would be stressful in the extreme.

I try hard not to worry, but it's not easy - blind panic is my default condition!

I worry that the seriously flawed system will either find me fit for work (my GP and specialist have both stated I am not fit to even look for work) or give me ESA and put me in the Work-Focussed-Group. I cannot go into the JC+....strange places, too many people, even thinking about it is overwhelming. And group activities are out of the question. Part of my ASD is that I have a verbal tic - when stressed I swear (I shout out the same cuss words repetitvely), I also rock, and hum...not great in company!...So I would possibly lose my benefits.

Then, when DLA is switched to PIP I may lose my entitlement - from what I understand lower rate claimants are no onger going to be entitled?

I wish there were clear guidelines so that I could either reassure myself, or prepare for the worst (no income!).

zzzLazyDaisy

Oh well, at least I know I am not on my own!

At least the 12 month period for the work related group doesn't start to run until the date of the migration - which seems really unfair since the people who were migrated first will lose their CB ESA in April when the new rules come in, whereas those of us who are moved over later will have a full 12 months before losing our money (I should be placed in the support group, in which case the 12 month limit won't apply, but I am not holding my breath!)

jonliv

I am on HRM HRC DLA and was transferred to ESA(C) Support Group on Oct 5th IB ended on the 4th Oct
When I filled in my ESA50 I did NOT send any supporting medical evidence nor was I sent for an ATOS medical I believe DWP looked at my medical history that they had on hand and made the decision to place me in the support group

Good luck hope everything goes well and try not to worry

Jono