Claim for ESA

windmill54 wrote: Hi, I am in the process of claiming ESA but owing to my health I will not be able to attend a F2F if required. I do have a medical report from by GP as to my condition. If I am unable to attend will my assessment phase benefit amount stop altogether, even my NIC credits?

If Maximus, the Assessment Provider decides that your require a face to face in order for them to make a recommendation on your claim, then there is no way around this and your claim cannot progress without one being done.

You can request a home assessment, you will need your GP to write to Maximus explaining why you cannot attend at their offices, I'm afraid the decision is at their discretion although you can try contacting your MP about the situation.

Contacting your MP

I'm afraid the bottom line is that if you do not attend then your claim can be closed.

Gordon

windmill54 wrote: Hi
I received my ESA50 health questionnaire and with the help of your guides completed it. I am sure that I have 15 points on several of the descriptors, I suffer with mental health. What I dont understand is at what stage do the assessors use the points system? At the F2F or from the completed ESA50. Many thanks.

When your claim gets to the top of the pile, Maximus will review it to see whether an assessment is required, it is at this point that they may seek further evidence from any doctor that you named in your ESA50. If an assessment is not required then an assessment report will be created from your ESA50 and any other information related to your claim.

If an assessment is required, then then assessment report will not be produced until they have seen you and it will be based on the interview and your ESA50 and any other information that they have.

Gordon

windmill54 wrote: Hi, I am still in the assessment phase of my ESA claim and have heard nothing since sending back my completed ESA50. I am now in my 11th week. My 3 month Gps fit note is due to run out in 2 weeks. Will the DWP request this or do I just send the new one to them. In which case, where do I send it? Many thanks

They may contact you but I would not wait for them to do so, you should send the new one to the DWP office dealing with your claim, the address will on the latest letter that you have received about your claim.

Don't forget to take a copy before sending it off.

Gordon