ESA support group assessment backlog

kulu400

   I’m due my next assessment in February for support group and was wondering what the general picture is in terms of delays. I was given the 2 year postponement during covid like many were. I know every case is specific but was just wondering if they seem to have caught up or there is a big backlog and if anyone is just getting a postponement again. 

poppy12345

Reviews haven't even started back up yet so it's unlikely you will have a review anytime soon. When they do start back up there will be huge backlogs. Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise anyway.

kulu400

 Thanks Poppy. Wow I didn’t realise reviews hadn’t yet started again. 

NedS

No reviews of existing awards have been conducted since March 2020/Covid lockdown, and there is no indication when they may resume.

At present they are only conducting assessments of new claims and existing claims where the claimant has reported a change to their health condition.

So if you are in the support group, sit tight and as @poppy12345 says your award will continue indefinitely until they get around to reviewing you along with everyone else in the backlog (together with those on UC with LCW/LCWRA awards).

kulu400

Thanks for info just out of interest have you heard of anyone given a definitive postponement date. Like last time when I phoned I was told next review put back 2 years. It’s just a bit less stressful if you have a definite postponement date. If I don’t hear anything by February I’ll probably give them a call just to see. 

poppy12345

Even with the definite postponement date, that's still not guaranteed. The timescales they give are only usually a guide, if there's backlogs that date could be pushed back.

KxMx

@kulu400 I appreciate why you are asking. 
Even though I am aware it can potentially happen sooner or later, I like knowing what date is on my records too. 
I was put back to October 2022 from October 2020, I'll probably give them a call at some point to see what is on there now. 

Muttleythefrog

Just for reference... in summer I called and found out they'd put review date back 2 years (on a previous 3 year review date). This is one queue and backlog I don't mind waiting in. With obvious caveat they can review you at any time I can't see it happening any time soon.

HillStreetBlues

Decided to look at mine because of this thread, I tend not to think about it.
I had a tribunal in Dec 16 that put me in the Support Group from WRAG with a recommend of not to be reassessed within 24 months.  Not heard a thing from them, now transferred to  LCWRA in UC.

Spoonie_Turtle

My aunt has somehow managed to avoid a reassessment since her first one in 2013!  Needless to say, she's not contacted them to ask, perfectly happy to lie low.

hb2

I think my last assessment was in 2016/7, I recall expecting reassessment to begin in late 2019 but it didn't. I reach state Pension age in August 2024 and would gladly keep my head down until then!