When does ESA "Assessement Phase" actually start?

purplebutterfly

Apologies in advance for the probably stupid question but I've read myself round in circles (both here and on other sites) and I'm stll not sure when the so-called Assessment Phase begins for people migrating from Incapacity Benefit or Income Support because of disability?

I'm worried about the drop in income if the normal rate of benefit is changed to the basic ESA rate.

Does the Assessment Phase begin as soon as you are sent the questionnaire? Or is it only after you have had a medical assessment? I sent the form back over 3 months ago and have just received an appointment for the ATOS WCA but my benefits haven't changed so far. I've had no letters from DWP informing me about upcoming changes or even the possibility of changes in future.

Is it possible to migrate from IB/IS (disability premium) without dropping any income along the way? If I fail the WCA will it drop while I appeal the decision?

I know these questions have been asked many times but a lot of the answers are spread over years and I wondered what the current position is for people who have recently been in this situation.

thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone going through this process

Torry_Quine

There is no assesement phase for IB to ESA claimants in the way new claimants have. Should you be assessed as eligible for ESA then you'll go straight into the support or WRAG but if you fail and go to appeal you will go into the assesment rate and have to send in fit notes. Also if you go into a group then even if the amount should be less than IB you will get a top up to the amount you've been getting

purplebutterfly

Thanks for that, it sets my mind at rest a little for now.

IF you don't fail (and I know that's a big IF!) what happens if you are put in WRAG but want to appeal against that because you feel you should have been put in the support group?

Torry_Quine

purplebutterfly wrote: »

Thanks for that, it sets my mind at rest a little for now.

IF you don't fail (and I know that's a big IF!) what happens if you are put in WRAG but want to appeal against that because you feel you should have been put in the support group?

Then you continue to recieve the WRAG amount and don't need to send fit-notes. (That's what I'm doing at the moment. :mad:)

purplebutterfly

If I'd known there would be this much stress involved in getting enough money to live, I would have carried on with my original plan to have a good career and skipped the whole incurable illness thing :rotfl:

all the best with your case Torry - hope you get moved into support soon. I really appreciate you answering my questions

Muttleythefrog

As above. Assessment phase is for new claims only... it lasts 3 months and is actually poorly named as it is around the end of this period that the assessment actually begins. During the assessment phase sicknotes would typically be qualification for basic rate of ESA. The idea of an assessment phase is presumably that many people who are off work through sickness will recover within 3 months and only those with serious problems or long term problems will need to undergo assessment and get long term support.

If you were to fail the WCA (work capability assessment - again badly named as it is a test of whether various statements of disability actually apply to you across many functional areas.. and some non functional for exceptional cases) and decided to appeal that decision then under cover of sicknote you may be able to get assessment rate (aka basic rate) ESA.

Make sure you have the descriptors for WRAG and Support group at hand when compelting the ESA50 form. Supply any evidence you can with the completed form that supports a view that descriptors apply to you. You may or may not be called for a face to face medical.