Ib move to esa if this happens - query

savvygranny

Family member soon to receive form re IB to ESA . . can members let me know if they were accepted into support group on form completion alone without a medical due to confirmed serious diagnosed illness they have had for many years.

Also wondered if there are particular illnesses that might allow claimants to secure ESA support group.

MrsManda

If you download 'A guide to ESA - Work Capability Assessment' document from direct.gov.uk
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172012

or open the .pdf directly by clicking on this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf

you will find all the descriptors for the 2 groups.

If your family member meets any of the criteria on pages 24 and 25 or any of the special circumstances on pages 10, 11 or 12 then they should be put into the Support Group.

Whether a person has to attend a medical really depends on how the form is filled in, evidence provided by the claimant (doctors letters etc...) and what the claimant's specialists say if they're asked by the DWP to provide a report.
The DWP do try to identify those qualifying under special circumstances without a medical though this isn't always possible.

HB58

I have just spoken to someone who was put straight into the support group without a medical - so it can happen.

sizzler1893

Ive recently been put straight into the support group with no medical.

savvygranny

Thanks for taking the time out to reply and for the links provided.

Will just have to hope that family member gets through the process without stress adding to his medical problems.

salfordgirl

I too was put into the support group without a medical, I was on Incapacity topped up with Income Support due to premiums, so I am now on both contribution based ESA and income based.

A lot depends on how they fill out the form. Look at the desciptors and how they apply. Also look at the support group descriptors.

Generally it doesn't go on diagnosis alone, its more about how it affects you. The same diagnosis can affect different people in different ways.

Also ESA (unlike Incapacity) looks at what you can do, rather than what you cannot do.

savvygranny

As an update to my original query re IB to ESA transition, can now confirm that family member has indeed been accepted on to support group without a face-to-face assessment.

Form and supporting info were provided and the time from form being sent and receipt of confirmation of support group was only 3-4 weeks in all. However, not aware of what period thisn is for though as not specified on the letter.

HB58

The DWP do not routinely inform claimants of the length of their award. You can find this out by contacting DWP and asking for a copy of the ESA85A and/or statement of reasons.

stephief

savvygranny wrote: »

Family member soon to receive form re IB to ESA . . can members let me know if they were accepted into support group on form completion alone without a medical due to confirmed serious diagnosed illness they have had for many years.

Also wondered if there are particular illnesses that might allow claimants to secure ESA support group.

My husband was moved from IB to ESA without an assesment.

sunnyone

stephief wrote: »

My husband was moved from IB to ESA without an assesment.

Me to into the support group for three years.

*thedaughter*

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear anything after sending in the limited capability questionnaire?