Telephone Assessment

Jay_1987

Hi there,

I was in receipt of ESA, but that migrated to Universal Credit back at the beginning of the year. I have received a letter today saying DWP want to carry out an assessment for my ESA claims this is part of the work capability assessment which looks at disability, illness or health condition affects my capability to work. 

As I am now receiving UC, should the letter not say my UC claim?

Muttleythefrog

Are you still receiving Contributions based ESA? If yes it might explain that.
Did your Work Capability Status carry over correctly to UC (Limited capability for work or work related activity) as it should have? If yes then great.

The assessment is the same regardless... but I think the documents will just have different prefix codes. Seems like you're just being re-assessed.

TimeLord1

This will most likely be from your local Jobcentre from an  0800 number. To confirm New Style ESA, claimant commitments,  they have to do it legally. If your work commitments. 

 on UC are "I am not required to look for or apply for jobs at this time. I will be told if this changes" then it will just be a short call to agree to let them know of any changes to your circumstances. 

Jay_1987

I had the re assessment over a fortnight ago and the assessor said that they are a bit behind at the moment so it may be a while before I get my decision. Has anyone else had a re assessment recently? How long after re assessment did you get the decision?

thanks.

Muttleythefrog

Not sure on timing but you could contact DWP and ask for copy of assessment report which might give heads up on likely outcome and be potentially useful document.

Robbie64

Muttleythefrog said:

Not sure on timing but you could contact DWP and ask for copy of assessment report which might give heads up on likely outcome and be potentially useful document.

I thought the DWP won't send out a copy of the ESA85 / UC85 assessment report until a decision has been made. They do send out the PA4 for PIP claims prior to a decision being made but I was always under the impression that they wouldn't do the same for a WCA.

Muttleythefrog

Robbie64 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Not sure on timing but you could contact DWP and ask for copy of assessment report which might give heads up on likely outcome and be potentially useful document.

I thought the DWP won't send out a copy of the ESA85 / UC85 assessment report until a decision has been made. They do send out the PA4 for PIP claims prior to a decision being made but I was always under the impression that they wouldn't do the same for a WCA.

Oh I've just experienced the same response regarding ESA85 (or equivalent) and PA4 (or equivalent).... you're entitled to get the documents surely (SAR if nothing else). I've certainly always had the former before a decision was made... typically requesting within a couple of working days of assessment. I'm not sure if there has been any recent protocol changes but there is some indication of inconsistency in material online on quickly checking. I suppose you can only try... for PIP they say they can't give decision over phone but I've had them read out decision letters they're sending out. 

Robbie64

Muttleythefrog said:

Robbie64 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Not sure on timing but you could contact DWP and ask for copy of assessment report which might give heads up on likely outcome and be potentially useful document.

I thought the DWP won't send out a copy of the ESA85 / UC85 assessment report until a decision has been made. They do send out the PA4 for PIP claims prior to a decision being made but I was always under the impression that they wouldn't do the same for a WCA.

Oh I've just experienced the same response regarding ESA85 (or equivalent) and PA4 (or equivalent).... you're entitled to get the documents surely (SAR if nothing else). I've certainly always had the former before a decision was made... typically requesting within a couple of working days of assessment. I'm not sure if there has been any recent protocol changes but there is some indication of inconsistency in material online on quickly checking. I suppose you can only try... for PIP they say they can't give decision over phone but I've had them read out decision letters they're sending out. 

By the time you exercise your right to a Subject Access Request, the DWP will have made a decision! They have a few weeks to action a SAR.

For PIP there's no consistency (like yourself I've had them read out a decision letter they had sent) but I always thought a decision had to be made on a WCA before the DWP would send out a copy of the assessors report. I did read several times in the past that this was the case but perhaps things have changed in recent times.