ESA benefit review

My wife, who is on high DLA (mobility and Care) and Esa, has had a letter from the DWP for a benefit review at home from someone from "DWP Benefit Review, Performance Measurement". It is about ESA. Apparently this is a random review.

The letter that came telling us about the review seems to be solely with regards to authenticating who she is, her benefits are correct etc. Indeed, the letter says "to make sure you are getting the correct amount of ESA that she is entitled to", though being cynical I would guess they're more worried about paying out what they shouldn't as opposed to her financial comfort, again, fair enough.

We had occasional visits from the Benfits Agency or the Council Tax people over the years to verify such things so are ok about financial checks like that, but in these Welfare claimant harrassing times, I would like to be forewarned if this review is above board, or something to be careful about. Is it statistical, or some sort of indirect medical evaluation?

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your e-mail address, you may wish to change it to maintain as the forum is open to public viewing.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

As you say it would not be unusual to have a Benefit Check/Review.

However, you should be aware of the following information in:

The Spotlight Area.

As advised, you can challenge them to ascertain exactly "what" the interview is pertaining to, and whether it is Mandatory or Voluntary.

You can then make an informed decision on whether to attend.

Further information can be seen in : This Topic and from the links included therein to other associated topics.

You will see more detail with respect to DWP Decision Makers Guidance and ESA Regulations on not having to take part in WRA/WFI if in The SG, and " Reasonable Adjustments" for disabled people as covered under The Equality Act 2010. (EA2010)

There is really not much more that we can add to what has already been written.

bro58

Many thanks for the links and for the advice to change the forum name...her letter states it is purely financial, as in a standard check, so I'll contact them tomorrow and make sure that is what it is. I'll also come back later in the week with a brief update on what actually happened on the day.
Once again thanks.

Happyman wrote: Many thanks for the links and for the advice to change the forum name...her letter states it is purely financial, as in a standard check, so I'll contact them tomorrow and make sure that is what it is. I'll also come back later in the week with a brief update on what actually happened on the day.
Once again thanks.

Thanks for that Hm !!

Your updates will be much appreciated by other members.

bro58

Just had the home based Benefit review from the Performance Measurement officer.
He said this was a statistical department who have selected for them at random a number of people in one area to interview about the benefits they receive for integrity purposes.


They check who you are, bank account details are correct, 2 forms of address id + what benefits you are receiving. No information is requested on medical (ATOS style) information, though we were asked if her condition had improved /got worse since the last claim That part of the interview at home was fine, we provided all details and he was happy with what we provided.

The other part of the interview was also fine, but being mistrustful of IDS and his department, it's left us a bit uneasy (due to our own ignorance of the benefits system not by anything the man did or implied)


My wife is on Contributions based ESA and he suggested filling the Income ESA form in to see if she would qualify for more assistance. He suggested that if he didn't do it just now, then when the information was back at the office, he may be asked why he had not suggested something that may be beneficial to us. The DWP would then send out the same claim form. He wasn't insistant or in any way over-bearing, but after asking if it would affect the DLA she receives and being assured it wouldn't, we let him do it for us.
All standard ESA Income claim form filling was done and he said we would hear back when the claim is assessed.

Is this all above board (I know we are paranoid in these times)?


My worry is that by losing the tag Contributions Based ESA, we are doing something we shouldn't and leaving ourselves open on other issues.

Any advice would be appreciated

Happyman wrote: Just had the home based Benefit review from the Performance Measurement officer.
He said this was a statistical department who have selected for them at random a number of people in one area to interview about the benefits they receive for integrity purposes.


They check who you are, bank account details are correct, 2 forms of address id + what benefits you are receiving. No information is requested on medical (ATOS style) information, though we were asked if her condition had improved /got worse since the last claim That part of the interview at home was fine, we provided all details and he was happy with what we provided.

The other part of the interview was also fine, but being mistrustful of IDS and his department, it's left us a bit uneasy (due to our own ignorance of the benefits system not by anything the man did or implied)


My wife is on Contributions based ESA and he suggested filling the Income ESA form in to see if she would qualify for more assistance. He suggested that if he didn't do it just now, then when the information was back at the office, he may be asked why he had not suggested something that may be beneficial to us. The DWP would then send out the same claim form. He wasn't insistant or in any way over-bearing, but after asking if it would affect the DLA she receives and being assured it wouldn't, we let him do it for us.
All standard ESA Income claim form filling was done and he said we would hear back when the claim is assessed.

Is this all above board (I know we are paranoid in these times)?


My worry is that by losing the tag Contributions Based ESA, we are doing something we shouldn't and leaving ourselves open on other issues.

Any advice would be appreciated

Hi Hm,

Thanks for taking the time to relate your experiences with this interview.

The form should be purely to financially assess you to see whether you are entitled to any IR ESA payments :

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

ESA Premiums

Generally done by way of an ESA 3 Form : Sample ESA 3 Form

If you are entitled to IR ESA this will be paid on top of your CB ESA, therefore you would be entitled to payment of CB ESA with IR ESA top-ups.

Advantages of being in receipt of IR ESA, even if only a penny, is that it passports you to other "benefits" e.g. HB, CTS, SMI, free prescriptions and dental care.

Plus, a claimant in receipt of IR ESA as any part of their ESA payments does not fall under the 365 days limit to entitlement to CB ESA when not in The SG :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

It will have no averse effect on your DLA, as DLA is non means tested.

Please keep us updated.

bro58