How long ?

Could someone give me an idea as too just how long the DWP/ATOS or the DLA ect keep hold of submitted ESA or DLA forms and medical evidence please ? The last one we had ( ESA50) to fill in went to ATOS 12 months ago and my 18 month Support group award without the need for any WCA runs out in 6 months time ?

Hi Noodles,

It seems to vary as to how long DWP keep your records. In some instances they will destroy things after 18 months but it is not clear why and when they keep things for longer.

You should treat every re-assessment as if it were a new application and as if the DM knows nothing (which is not far from the truth!). Explain everything and submit accompanying evidence each time. Always submit copies (unless specifically told otherwise by DWP) and keep the originals in your possession in case you need them again.

ATOS do not hold on to any of your information, it is all passed back to DWP.

Hi MHB,

Thanks for the quick reply.

The reason we ask about this is because almost all of my medical history including DLA / ESA 50 returns,information and history ect are stored on my carers computers some in PDF for going back quite some time. My concern is, If we resend similar worded answers including photo copied documents ect,would this look bad in terms of simple repeated copying of the facts ?

Hope I make myself clear on this. ?

That makes so much sense Gordon,thanks to you all once again.

I was quite surprised when I had my f2f that the doctor referred back to my PCA that I had in 2007, so sometimes I suppose they do there job properly

Mags