Has anyone who is due an ESA reassessement this year been sent an ESA50?

NedS

HillStreetBlues said:

calcotti said:

 increasingly WCAs are for UC and DWP have refused to publish any statistics on WCA outcomes for UC despite frequently being urged to do so. 

The Government even claims they don't have the statistics!
(Well the Government of a couple of PMs ago)

Well, you can't publish what you choose not to collect or monitor. Has anyone tried asking by way of a freedom of information request?

huckster

NedS said:

HillStreetBlues said:

calcotti said:

 increasingly WCAs are for UC and DWP have refused to publish any statistics on WCA outcomes for UC despite frequently being urged to do so. 

The Government even claims they don't have the statistics!
(Well the Government of a couple of PMs ago)

Well, you can't publish what you choose not to collect or monitor. Has anyone tried asking by way of a freedom of information request?

Reminds me of Australian park guides "the crocodile petting enclosure is now open. These are friendly animals!. Everyone who has entered, has exited. (But perhaps not in the same configuration as they entered and we don't keep any statistical records. Enter at your own risk !)"

Governments of all colours don't keep as many records, probably so under FOI, they can respond saying that they don't have the information available and it would cost too much to obtain the data.  The number of people waiting WCA assessments would be a huge number,  as the number of health professionals that complete assessments would probably only be enough for new claimant assessments.

For those in work related activity or support groups that are overdue an assessment, it will take a very long time for the reassessments. You would question whether there are enough qualified health professionals available and Government will have to come up with some other way to complete reviews. 

calcotti

NedS said:

HillStreetBlues said:

calcotti said:

 increasingly WCAs are for UC and DWP have refused to publish any statistics on WCA outcomes for UC despite frequently being urged to do so. 

The Government even claims they don't have the statistics!
(Well the Government of a couple of PMs ago) 

Well, you can't publish what you choose not to collect or monitor. Has anyone tried asking by way of a freedom of information request?

Yes, see this from 2022
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statistics_for_wca_outcomes_in_u
"There are currently no statistics published on the number and outcomes of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments and the department has no plans to publish any statistics at this time."!

HillStreetBlues

calcotti said:

Yes, see this from 2022
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statistics_for_wca_outcomes_in_u
"There are currently no statistics published on the number and outcomes of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments and the department has no plans to publish any statistics at this time."!

Interestingly they do not answer that they do not have the statistics to publish.

kulu400

Just out of interest has anyone heard of a general increase in those claiming ESA ? I’d imagine with long covid situation and a likely increase in mental health cases from Covid. Then add in general state of economy and I guess some people losing jobs would go down ESA route. Would just be interesting to know if the number claiming now is much higher than pre covid even without a backlog to make up. 

huckster

@kulu400  From what I have seen, there has been no recent noticeable increase in numbers claiming UC or contributory based ESA due to Covid or anything related to Covid. 

The number of people claiming the benefits as Doctors have issued fit notes saying the claimants cannot work, is at about the same level as it was before Covid.  And the most common health issue seen on fit notes is still the same as it was before Covid i.e. Mental Health conditions.  

The biggest crisis facing the UK at the moment is Mental Health.  In most areas of the UK, it can take around 3 weeks to see a GP and if referral is made to NHS Mental Health services it can then take 6 months or more before any therapy sessions are arranged.  

If Government wants to get more people back to work quicker, than a massive investment needs to be made in GP services and Mental Health services.  

KxMx

PIP claims for Long Covid have vastly increased:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/25-fold-increase-in-pip-long-covid-awards,-one-in-five-getting-maximum-amount

Obviously PIP isn't an out of work benefit, but in the context of your question I think it's an important point to consider. 

Spoonie_Turtle

KxMx said:

PIP claims for Long Covid have vastly increased:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/25-fold-increase-in-pip-long-covid-awards,-one-in-five-getting-maximum-amount

Obviously PIP isn't an out of work benefit, but in the context of your question I think it's an important point to consider. 

Generally speaking, disabling illnesses are more likely to affect someone's ability to work than disability not due to illness.