ESA50 reassessment form

Jab87

Hello,

My son has recently received an ESA50 form having been on ESA WRAG for the past 2 years. The form has to be back to them by mid September. He was wondering if anyone has any experience of reassessments and how long it would take to hear back after mid September to see if he has to go to a face to face medical assessment, and would his current ESA payments continue until after a decision has been made by the ESA medical assessor if he needs to go to another assessment?

Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks in advance

poppy12345

Jab87 wrote: »

Hello,

My son has recently received an ESA50 form having been on ESA WRAG for the past 2 years. The form has to be back to them by mid September. He was wondering if anyone has any experience of reassessments and how long it would take to hear back after mid September to see if he has to go to a face to face medical assessment, and would his current ESA payments continue until after a decision has been made by the ESA medical assessor if he needs to go to another assessment?

Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks in advance

There's no timescales, it depends on backlog in his area. Most people have to attend a face to face assessment so i'd advise him to expect this. If he doesn't need to then it's a bonus.


His payments will continue until a decisions been made.



Do make sure that he sends evidence to support the claim when returning that form because they rarely contact anyone for his.



Finally he needs to make sure the form is returned on time otherwise he benefits could stop.

Jab87

Evidence as in what medication he is on? Would I just send a picture?

Jab87

Won’t let me edit post. Would he just send a picture is what I meant to write.

kingfisherblue

Evidence can be a copy of his repeat prescription, medical reports, care plans, and similar information.

Jab87

Thank you both so much. He was getting stressed about his payments stopping and at his last face to face. He usually talks to the doctor every 6 months regarding his prescription, so I take it the doctor will provide evidence of repeat prescriptions and why he is on the meds if he requests it? He has been having meetings with his work coach only once a year because of his situation.

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/

micky2phones

Jab87 wrote: »

Thank you both so much. He was getting stressed about his payments stopping and at his last face to face. He usually talks to the doctor every 6 months regarding his prescription, so I take it the doctor will provide evidence of repeat prescriptions and why he is on the meds if he requests it? He has been having meetings with his work coach only once a year because of his situation.

Hi, if your Doctor's online then you can see prescriptions and illness there then print them off.

poppy12345

micky2phones wrote: »

Hi, if your Doctor's online then you can see prescriptions and illness there then print them off.

Unless you've requested to see you medical records then there's very little information to view online. Sending just a prescription print out and a list of illnesses isn't much evidence and may not be enough to support a claim.

[Deleted User]

He can ask the doctor for an outline of his condition, to list his meds. He will probably have to pay for this letter. Its often a good idea to write down what you want and give it to the GP. They are very busy and a written reminder is often useful when they actually start to write the letter.

You can include copies of previous diagnosis (just to make sure the decision makers have it all in front of them) and copies of any referral letters written in the last few years.

It might be helpful to contact the CAB or a charity that deals with whatever condition he has and ask for help filling in the form. Putting things one way can mean a fail, putting things another way can tick boxes. I have autism and contacted my local NAS office, they helped me fill in the form. I ended up rewriting it to include specifics but before that point I hadn't written a word because I didn't know how to answer the questions, it gave me a very good start.

As has been said, include any evidence/documents he has that proves he has a disability and how it affects him, who helps deliver care. PIP and ESA people rarely ask for evidence themselves. Its important to not only include diagnosis but also try and show how it affects him.

I had to ask for a couple of extensions in the due date because of a delay in appointments to see people and ask for evidence. You can do this.

Its often useful to ask for a recorded interview, in case the assessor says something that didn't happen or makes incorrect inferences.

poppy12345

deannatrois wrote: »

I had to ask for a couple of extensions in the due date because of a delay in appointments to see people and ask for evidence. You can do this.

There's no extension of time given for returning the ESA50 work capability assessment form. It must be returned no later than the date stated on the letter. Failure to return by that date you could be found fit for work for failing to return.


There's one exemption to this rule, if you're claiming for mental health the rules are more relaxed. I can't put the CPAG link to this because it says it's being updated, so not available.