RE the change from CB to NS ESA

This change to NS ESA affects me as I been on CB ESA in the Support Group since 2012/13. I used to qualify for an IR top up but my entitlement ended in 2019. So since then I just been getting CB ESA.

I'm so sorry to be asking this as it may be obvious but my cognitive difficulties make me easily confused.
In the B&W news article today it says

The Order that is coming into effect on 1st December includes a provision that the Secretary of State can delay the preparation of a claimant commitment for as long as they see fit. This means if you are affected by the change, you could be asked to agree a claimant commitment with the DWP in relation to your NS-ESA, but you might not be asked to do this straight away.

If you receive the support component of CB-ESA, you can’t be given any work-related requirements within NS-ESA. So, if you are asked to ‘attend’ a claimant commitment meeting, it would simply be to reaffirm your agreement to report any changes in your circumstances. We’ve put ‘attend’ in quotes, because you can ask for a reasonable adjustment to have any claimant commitment meeting by phone if you need to because of your disability or health problem.

So is it correct that
a)the name of my claim will simply change to NS ESA instead of CB ESA, and the Support Group will be called the 'Support Component'.

b)And then, terrifyingly, at some point - it could be immediate but it could be at some unknown future date - I will be asked to attend a meeting to agree a 'commitment', but I can ask for it to be on the phone if I can't attend in person.

c)And because I in the support group they cant ask me to commit to anything except reporting any change of circumstance - so no activity or anything?

Have I understood that correctly?

I have a reassessment due in February... will this change affect that in any way?

All three of what you have posted above are correct except the Support Group in NS-ESA is still known by the same name. The B&W article refers to it as the Support component because it is a component (part) of ESA.

isn't as terrifying as it might appear as it's usually a 10 minute phone call with the Work Coach outlining what you need to do to continue receiving NS-ESA (basically, to report any changes when they occur).

Reassessments have largely been on hold as new claims work capability assessments plus claimants reporting a deterioration in health WCA's have been taking priority. There's currently a backlog which needs to be cleared.

Thanks so much for this Robbie esp for the reassurance!

Robbie wrote:

isn't as terrifying as it might appear as it's usually a 10 minute phone call with the Work Coach outlining what you need to do to continue receiving NS-ESA (basically, to report any changes when they occur).

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for the call? Is there a section in the ESA guide or something? They are so keen to catch us out I feel very wary of it, mainly because I struggle to find my words in conversation and anxiety makes me say things that are inaccurate/misleading sometimes. It's be good to know what sort of questions i might be asked.

Reassessments have largely been on hold as new claims work capability assessments plus claimants reporting a deterioration in health WCA's have been taking priority. There's currently a backlog which needs to be cleared.

Ah so you think my assessment may well not actually be done then? (I know there are no guarantees)