Query over DBE letter I just recieved [ESA]

I got the DBE (dreaded brown envelope) through the post today, this is about a week after a F2F assessment. So I am presuming this is in relation to that rather than just another price change letter that I get from time to time. I am hoping anyway.

In the past though when I have got through I have had a phone call, and then a letter a while later, this time it was just the letter. I have been in the Support group prior to the F2F. It does say within the letter "We have looked at your claim again following a recent change", is that the give away sentence that means this is a decision letter ? There is nothing that refers to the F2F or any points or anything. On the final page it mentions "Extra money because you are in the Support Group", so does this mean I am still in it ? The confusing thing is the date it says "from" is 8 months ago, but I wonder if it says that due to the new tax year being then.

I just wanted to double check before I feel relieved, as I sent back my ESA50 over 18 months ago and then had the F2F too, was really stressful. It is just my luck to feel relieved and then find it is just a price change letter like I get every year, although the fees mentioned look the same as I get now.

If this is a decision letter and I want to check out my re-assessment date, what do I ask and who do I call ? Knowing my luck it will be 3 months time.

If my re-assessment date is, say, May 2015 (6 months), am I likely to get a new ESA50 in January or will I be at the back of the queue now ? Could it be a couple of years before I am re-tested ? I really don't want to go through all that again anytime soon.

Thanks everyone.

Benson wrote: I got the DBE (dreaded brown envelope) through the post today, this is about a week after a F2F assessment. So I am presuming this is in relation to that rather than just another price change letter that I get from time to time. I am hoping anyway.

In the past though when I have got through I have had a phone call, and then a letter a while later, this time it was just the letter. I have been in the Support group prior to the F2F. It does say within the letter "We have looked at your claim again following a recent change", is that the give away sentence that means this is a decision letter ? There is nothing that refers to the F2F or any points or anything. On the final page it mentions "Extra money because you are in the Support Group", so does this mean I am still in it ? The confusing thing is the date it says "from" is 8 months ago, but I wonder if it says that due to the new tax year being then.

I just wanted to double check before I feel relieved, as I sent back my ESA50 over 18 months ago and then had the F2F too, was really stressful. It is just my luck to feel relieved and then find it is just a price change letter like I get every year, although the fees mentioned look the same as I get now.

If this is a decision letter and I want to check out my re-assessment date, what do I ask and who do I call ? Knowing my luck it will be 3 months time.

If my re-assessment date is, say, May 2015 (6 months), am I likely to get a new ESA50 in January or will I be at the back of the queue now ? Could it be a couple of years before I am re-tested ? I really don't want to go through all that again anytime soon.

Thanks everyone.

Hi B,

We have heard from quite a lot of members who have received similar letters in similar scenarios to your own.

"It does say within the letter "We have looked at your claim again following a recent change", is that the give away sentence that means this is a decision letter ?"


"Extra money because you are in the Support Group", so does this mean I am still in it ?"

It may do, the only way to be certain is to phone :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA.

The Call Responder should have access to your file on screen, and should be able to tell you if a fresh SG decision has been made.

You are correct, this is not a proper Decision Notice letter, which you are entitled to.

Even if it was a proper Decision Notice letter, it would not include the recommended period before reassessment. (The Prognosis)

Nor would it give reasons why you were placed into The SG. (if that is the case)

Regarding The Prognosis, etc see one of my previous posts : Here.

"The confusing thing is the date it says "from" is 8 months ago, but I wonder if it says that due to the new tax year being then."

This could be the date from the beginning of April 2014 when the annual benefit uprating took place, as this would be the current level of ESA that you are entitled to.

It would also not be uncommon to see a "To" date of late November, this is not the prognosis, it is the last pay week before the issuing of The Xmas Bonus payments, and is purely for admin purposes.

"If my re-assessment date is, say, May 2015 (6 months), am I likely to get a new ESA50 in January or will I be at the back of the queue now ? Could it be a couple of years before I am re-tested ? I really don't want to go through all that again anytime soon."

Normally, one would expect to receive a fresh ESA50 some 2 months before the end of the Prognosis period.

However, as you know, ESA reassessments are currently being deferred, so I cannot give a definitive response.

See : A previous post on this issue.

Please let us know when you have confirmation of an SG award.

bro58

Thanks Bro. I will clarify some more of the letter. It starts with "YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE", then directly under it the line is "A CHANGE IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE PAYABLE". Then under that is the "your claim" sentence I wrote on my first message.

At the very bottom it says "WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU THINK THIS DECISION IS WRONG". Then on the next page it talks about appeals and one month for a MR from the date of the letter. Although that makes it looks obvious to be a decision letter I am sure however I have seen such info even in non decision letters in the past, such as those preceding a decision.

The very last page is the breakdown of fees, which is the same as I am on now and have been for a couple of years. Oh and yes, the date is April 8th 2014 and then has the rate I am given at the end of the sentence.

I guess I am just being double careful before I accept it as a decision letter, especially as it is only 7 days after my F2F, I hear they usually take 4 to 6 weeks for a decision.

Thanks for all the info and I will ring the DWP to find out for sure. Fingers crossed.

Benson wrote: Thanks Bro. I will clarify some more of the letter. It starts with "YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE", then directly under it the line is "A CHANGE IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE PAYABLE". Then under that is the "your claim" sentence I wrote on my first message.

At the very bottom it says "WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU THINK THIS DECISION IS WRONG". Then on the next page it talks about appeals and one month for a MR from the date of the letter. Although that makes it looks obvious to be a decision letter I am sure however I have seen such info even in non decision letters in the past, such as those preceding a decision.

The very last page is the breakdown of fees, which is the same as I am on now and have been for a couple of years. Oh and yes, the date is April 8th 2014 and then has the rate I am given at the end of the sentence.

I guess I am just being double careful before I accept it as a decision letter, especially as it is only 7 days after my F2F, I hear they usually take 4 to 6 weeks for a decision.

Thanks for all the info and I will ring the DWP to find out for sure. Fingers crossed.

Hi B,

From the extra information that you have now provided regarding your right to request an MR/Appeal, it does seem that this letter is a Decision Notice.

All decisions must be confirmed in writing to the claimant, and must include the claimant's right to MR/Appeal.

I am aware of claimants who have recently received a Decision Notice letter 7-10 days after a F2F.

A Decision Notice letter does not give a great amount of information, it will include The Award Decision, a breakdown of how much you will receive, (From - To) and your rights to MR/Appeal.

Therefore, from what you have written, it looks very much like you have received an SG Decision Notice !!

No harm of course in confirming this by ringing the ESA number. (earlier the better)

It now seems that congratulation are in order !!!

Please update us.

bro58

Great I just didn't want to jump to expectations, as I often get letters with rate breakdowns throughout the year and this looked similar. I just wish they were a bit clearer that this letter was due to the recent F2F assessment.

I will contact the DWP to find out my prognosis, just have to hope it isn't less than a year otherwise I will be going back through it all again soon. I will get back to you this week with a confirmation.

Many thanks

Benson wrote: Great I just didn't want to jump to expectations, as I often get letters with rate breakdowns throughout the year and this looked similar. I just wish they were a bit clearer that this letter was due to the recent F2F assessment.

I will contact the DWP to find out my prognosis, just have to hope it isn't less than a year otherwise I will be going back through it all again soon. I will get back to you this week with a confirmation.

Many thanks

Hi B,

Please do !!

bro58