Late returning ESA50 form for ESA

lynxptc

I’ve been claiming ESA for some time now and
I’m in the support group. I received an ESA50 questionnaire form to fill in for a reassessment but I was late returning it.

It was my fault entirely, I haven’t been well lately and I left it until the last minute to return it.

I’ve now returned it and sent it recorded so I know they’ve now got it, exactly 5 days past the due date.

I phoned Jobcentre Plus to explain and they said they would make a note on my claim and they said it should be ok but I’m worried they’re going to stop my ESA.

Will they stop my ESA or returning it only 5 days late? Has anyone else had any experiences of returning the form late?

Ames

Are you claiming for mental health reasons?

poppy12345

venison wrote: »

Had you contacted them I believe you could have got a 2 week extension(?)
I suspect that for 5 days you should be ok.

There's no extensions given for returning the ESA form.


If the OP is claiming for mental health and DWP have note of this then there's some relaxation in returning the forms but even with this you should state your reasons on the form why you're returning them late. One of the questions on the form is..are you returning them late.

[Deleted User]

poppy12345 wrote: »

There's no extensions given for returning the ESA form.


If the OP is claiming for mental health and DWP have note of this then there's some relaxation in returning the forms but even with this you should state your reasons on the form why you're returning them late. One of the questions on the form is..are you returning them late.

Sorry confusing it with PIP

Alice_Holt

I would suggest taking a copy of the form to the assessment when it happens, and checking with the assessor if they have a copy.

lynxptc

They definitely have it, I sent it recorded delivery and it shows as delivered

Michael_Ryan

My situation is similar. I sent my ESA50 form back 5 days before the deadline using the prepaid envelope. Trouble is, the pre paid envelope is addressed to Wolverhampton but on my reminder letter "which I received after posting back my form", it says to return my ESA50 form to Centre for Health and Disability Assessments in Wembly. Nine days after the returns deadline had passed, I recieved a letter from the DWP informing me that I had not returned my ESA50 and that my claim has been closed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

lynxptc

It’s terrible the way they just stop your ESA if they don’t get the form back exactly on time. From what I’ve read I’d have to apply for JSA or Income Support while appealing the decision to be found fit for work and getting the ESA reinstated

poppy12345

Michael_Ryan wrote: »

My situation is similar. I sent my ESA50 form back 5 days before the deadline using the prepaid envelope. Trouble is, the pre paid envelope is addressed to Wolverhampton but on my reminder letter "which I received after posting back my form", it says to return my ESA50 form to Centre for Health and Disability Assessments in Wembly. Nine days after the returns deadline had passed, I recieved a letter from the DWP informing me that I had not returned my ESA50 and that my claim has been closed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

It would have been better for you to have started own your thread with this question. Confusion always happens when posting questions on other peoples threads.


The ESA50 forms come straight from the health assessment providers, so they're returned straight to them and not DWP.



As you've been found fit for work for failing to return the form then you need to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) You say you sent the forms? Do you have proof that you sent them? Unless you have proof, then it will be your word against theirs.

poppy12345

lynxptc wrote: »

It’s terrible the way they just stop your ESA if they don’t get the form back exactly on time. From what I’ve read I’d have to apply for JSA or Income Support while appealing the decision to be found fit for work and getting the ESA reinstated

Are you claiming for mental health reason? If not then as your form wasn't returned by the deadline then they could have already returned your file to DWP. If so then you'll be found fit for work for failing to return the form and your ESA will stop.



The only way to know for sure is to ring and ask.

poppy12345

lynxptc wrote: »

From what I’ve read I’d have to apply for JSA or Income Support while appealing the decision to be found fit for work and getting the ESA reinstated

Applying for JSA will only be possible if your area isn't a full universal credit area, if it is then you won't be able to apply for legacy benefits. If you apply for UC then you won't be able to go back onto ESA.