ESA, was put in SG July 2013.

Was put in ESA SG in July 2013 for 2years, what will happen this July 2015 when 2years are up,
will I have to go through whole procedure again. any advice would be appreciated.
P.S. While in SG I have never been asked to take part in any WP activity.many thanks
Neannie.

Neannie wrote: Was put in ESA SG in July 2013 for 2years, what will happen this July 2015 when 2years are up,
will I have to go through whole procedure again. any advice would be appreciated.
P.S. While in SG I have never been asked to take part in any WP activity.many thanks
Neannie.

Hi N,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Even though your expected date for reassessment is July 2015, this may not occur.

Since January 2014, ESA reassessments have been getting deferred due to the huge backlog.

See : This Post, and the links to other posts therein.

Normally, one would expect to receive a new ESA50 around two months before the recommended date for reassessment.

However, we have been hearing from members recently where : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15 have simply been sending appointments for "medical" out to claimants without first sending an ESA50.

Each re-assessment should be treated as your first with regards to filling in The ESA50 and providing evidence.

In anticipation of your re-assessment and to ease time constraints, you might want to consider : Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the guides on this page :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or Maximus

The only way to find out your next re-assessment date would be to ring ESA :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

By the way, you cannot be compelled to take part in WRA whilst in The SG, although you can volunteer.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Hi

I am in a similar position. I have been in the SG since I transferred over to ESA from IB. My last assessment was in Sept 2013 where I was successfully put back in the SG for 2 years, although I didn't have a f2f either time.

I have been reading through the posts and I admit I am a little confused. Some seem to be suggesting that re-assessments are still being put on the back burner, one post I saw said it might be Spring 2016 before people like me are re-assessed.

Another, more recent post said that Maximus are starting to do re-assessments again. Assuming that if the re-assessments are back on track then I would be in line to receive a new ESA50 form sometime in July. Already starting to feel anxious about it.

Does anyone have any ideas about what is going on? I don't want to phone the DWP. I try and avoid contact with them at all times, unless absolutely necessary. Thanks.

madcatwoman wrote: Hi

I am in a similar position. I have been in the SG since I transferred over to ESA from IB. My last assessment was in Sept 2013 where I was successfully put back in the SG for 2 years, although I didn't have a f2f either time.

I have been reading through the posts and I admit I am a little confused. Some seem to be suggesting that re-assessments are still being put on the back burner, one post I saw said it might be Spring 2016 before people like me are re-assessed.

Another, more recent post said that Maximus are starting to do re-assessments again. Assuming that if the re-assessments are back on track then I would be in line to receive a new ESA50 form sometime in July. Already starting to feel anxious about it.

Does anyone have any ideas about what is going on? I don't want to phone the DWP. I try and avoid contact with them at all times, unless absolutely necessary. Thanks.

Hi MCW,

It was always going to be this way !!

There was no change to legislation regarding deferrals, only a change to operational procedures.

There would therefore be no "announcement" that re-assessment had restarted nationally.

There will obviously be variations with the backlogs regionally, so in an area where the backlog has been diminished, there is nothing to stop reassessments restarting.

Your options are still the same, ring up ESA to try and find out your re-assessment date, or prepare as best you can by keeping a current Pdf ESA50, etc.

bro58

Hi

Just one further question if I may. I know it is still very early days with Maximus but does anyone know if you are more or less likely to be called in for a f2f with them than you were with Atos?

I have never had to have a f2f, I have been extremely lucky that I got put in the SG both times on the paper assessment alone. As my third assessment is likely to come up again in the not too distant future I am just wondering if, providing I supply them with as much info as possible, this is likely to happen again or if Maximus prefer to see every claimant in person wherever possible?

Has there been much feedback from members who have been through the assessment process with Maximus? Thanks.

madcatwoman wrote: Hi

Just one further question if I may. I know it is still very early days with Maximus but does anyone know if you are more or less likely to be called in for a f2f with them than you were with Atos?

I have never had to have a f2f, I have been extremely lucky that I got put in the SG both times on the paper assessment alone. As my third assessment is likely to come up again in the not too distant future I am just wondering if, providing I supply them with as much info as possible, this is likely to happen again or if Maximus prefer to see every claimant in person wherever possible?

Has there been much feedback from members who have been through the assessment process with Maximus? Thanks.

Hi MCW,

We have heard from a few members who have received appointments for a "medical" with Maximus, but very little if any feedback on how the "medical" went.

The rules and guidance have not changed regarding whether a F2F should be needed or not.

The more information and evidence that you provide with your ESA50, the more chance that they can make a paper based assessment without the need of a F2F.

Have a read through The WCA Handbook : www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1#resources which was updated February 2015.

bro58