ESA renewal

carnation86

My husband's ESA (support group) is up for its first renewal in February. Does that mean that they'll send out a new form for him to fill out in February or sometime before that? Will his ESA stop while they review it? If he needs a medical, will we be told before he fills out the new form or after he's sent it in? Any details about how this works (timeframe, forms, etc.) would be very helpful-- he's about to tear his hear out with anxiety over it and I'm afraid I don't know enough about he process to put him more at ease. Thank you in advance!

rogerblack

Renewal times are at best a loose guideline.

In general, your award continues in force until a decision is made to remove it.
Several things can happen.
Firstly - his file can have been looked at, and the time extended without contacting him.
Secondly - he is asked to provide more information or attend a medical.
After this, he's found either to be in the work-related group, continues in the support group, or found fit (he cannot be found fit without an in-person medical, unless he does not attend).

If he's found either to be in the work related group, or fit-for-work, then he can appeal this decision, and money will continue at a somewhat reduced rate (less the support group component of around 30/week) during the appeal.

If he's found to be in the 'work related' group, and he is being paid contributions ESA due to your income or savings, then this award will be time limited to one year total in the assessment (if he did not migrate from IB) and work-related groups.
After this he would not be paid unless the household income is below a (low) threshold.

This does not apply if he is found to be in the support group.

carnation86

Thank you so much for the information-- I suppose that's why I wasn't able to find much about this process online since it can vary so much. If it ends up that they just look at it and choose to extend it without any further input (fingers crossed!), will they contact him to let him know that it's being extended?

rogerblack

carnation86 wrote: »

Thank you so much for the information-- I suppose that's why I wasn't able to find much about this process online since it can vary so much. If it ends up that they just look at it and choose to extend it without any further input (fingers crossed!), will they contact him to let him know that it's being extended?

They may not do.
You can request your full file from the DWP.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/
This is free, and will tell you if any decision has been made.
Or you can phone them and ask.
As I understand it, they will not routinely tell you if they have made a determination that your level of benefit remains the same. Only if it changes.