ESA and wrag question?

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I wonder if someone could answer this please.

if I am put into ESA wrag (contribution based) without a face to face which has happened to be before, and then ask for a MR as I am currently in support group, can they then reduce the wrag group to no award at all, even though I had no face to face this time around.

I do realise that in most cases it will be a face to face, but just want to know my options.

Many thanks to all once again for your valuable help

Nannytone

Before you do anything I would suggest that you look carefully at the support group descriptors and decide which one you feel applies to you. You then make your claim or mandatory reconsideration with this in mind/B]

justaquestion

Thanks for reply, yes I have done that.
But still wondering about the original question.


Thanks

Nannytone

They could withdraw the award at mandatory reconsideration stage because you are asking them to look at the whole claim again. It would be extremely unlikely though

justaquestion

Thanks for that reply.


I was probably under the illusion that because it was a paper based award, that the rules for MR might be different for that, so its not.


Thanks again.

TELLIT01

Can an existing award be terminated or downgraded on the basis of a new assessment using purely on written evidence? I thought, possibly wrongly, that f2f assessment was required.

pmlindyloo

This may help:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671113/3801-2015.pdf

justaquestion

Thanks for the link which does seem to answer my question the crucial phrase being,

"No claimant can be found fit for work without undergoing a face-to-face assessment"

I take it from that asking for an MR can't reduce the award, though going to tribunal of course can.

Thanks again.

hb2

As you say, an ESA award can be reduced, but not terminated, without a face-to-face assessment. This does not apply to PIP.