Support Group reassesment after 12 weeks??

As your last assessment was only a few months ago I can appreciate you not wanting to get additional medical evidence at this stage. However I would still send, assuming you have kept copies, a copy of medical evidence that you sent in previously particularly any evidence which confirms your eligibility for the Support Group. As Bro says you should not assume that they have access to information provided previously.

Hi r,

Another thought,

If you simply copy the previous ESA50 verbatim, remember that this only gained you an award of WRAG.

Therefore, you should consider which facts changed the reviewing DM's mind when placing you into The SG, and make sure that you include any extra evidence that you provided at the reconsideration stage.

bro58

Thanks both of you - ive just been looking online and apparently I can request information made at the time of my appeal by them that says when they should reassess me? 6/12/18/ months etc but I have never been given this? Have you heard of this?

Its just that I cannot understand why ive only been given 3 - 4.5 months with the evidence they have - where could I get this info and what does it cover? they only ever sent me the initial report my a nurse who assessed my application. Are they punishing me for putting in an appeal? As I don't see how anyone who is sick enough for the Support Group is supposedly much improved after 12 weeks.

Also ive just re read the ATOS letter - its bizarre - its the same as the letter I got when I was first being assessed from IB to ESA 'you will be converted to ESA only if certain conditions are satisfied?

Hi r,

Yes, you are speaking of the prognosis which accompanies every ESA award.

The documents that you would normally request to find out what the prognosis on your ESA award is, would be the ESA85 if you had a face to face (medical) or The ESA85A if you didn't.

See : ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

The DWP DM does not have to abide by the prognosis advised in said reports, and can change it.

Besides that, The ESA85/ESA85A would be pertinent to you being placed into The WRAG, as you did not have a further assessment after that, it was the reviewing DM that placed you into The SG.

The LT54, a description of which can be found in this list :

ESA Forms

may include the active prognosis, there may be two LT54's, one completed on your original conversion to ESA in The WRAG, and another that was compiled at the reconsideration.

The only problem is, that if you made a Subject Access Request (SAR) for these documents now, you would not receive them in time as The DWP have 40 days to comply with any SAR.

When you ring the 0845 number, it is highly possible that they will have the prognosis on screen.

You could also request the ESA85/ESA85A & LT54 verbally at that time.

ATOS are using original Conversion Notice letters with reassessments, they must have excessive stock of them.

My best advice would be to start filling in The ESA50 now, and fight your corner at the same time.

It is very important that it is returned by the deadline unless you receive something in writing to the contrary.

bro58

Hi bro - no facts changed to move me to support - the Nurse's evaluation report of my form completely ignored all my evidence for mental health illness - she claimed I had not submitted anything that said I had mental health problems - all my Welfare advisor did was re point them to my form and basically say 'what do you think you are playing at, she is covered by at least 3 descriptors'

rococo wrote: Hi bro - no facts changed to move me to support - the Nurse's evaluation report of my form completely ignored all my evidence for mental health illness - she claimed I had not submitted anything that said I had mental health problems - all my Welfare advisor did was re point them to my form and basically say 'what do you think you are playing at, she is covered by at least 3 descriptors'

Hi r,

In that case, you should reiterate the evidence, and cite the SG descriptors that apply to you.

Make the new ESA50 current, and pay heed to the other advice that I have previously posted, regarding no improvement. etc, etc.

bro58

Thankyou thankyou thankyou - will keep you updated