Health care assesor/support group

chucky1

Does the hca have any prior knowledge about you regarding your illness and how long you have been in the support group and why you were put in the support group in the first place or do they literally go off your form and evidence sent even though the dwp have all the information on why you were awarded in the first place 
Support group is an ongoing award so if your recent esa50 shows there is no change since you were last put in the support group whats the point of reassessment or are they checking to see no change or got better 

StillIRise

I was on ESA before I switched over to UC and I was in the Support Group for ESA.  I found that the health assessors ALWAYS referred to having used prior ESA assessment reports and prior medical evidence (even from 10 years prior) as part of their evidence in placing me into the Support Group again.  They did paper based assessments every time.  On one occasion I was placed into the Support Group and then not called for review for nearly 7 years.

bg844

As above, mostly they do. You shouldn’t assume this however and they might not of read any of your previous evidence. 

poppy123456

They don't always have any information from previous assessments. I've had reviews where nothing has been mentioned from previous assessments. Though i've remained in the Support Group for 10 years.

chucky1

Thank you for your replies my husband was put in the support group 10 years ago for his mental health he still has mental health problems and we did send up to date evidence to support thus so I was thinking if things are no different which they aren't then surely he should get in support group again he is due to get his state pension in 6 years so it will end then anyway 

poppy123456

chucky1 said:

 I was thinking if things are no different which they aren't then surely he should get in support group again

It doesn't always work out that way. However, the stats for WCA reviews say that a huge 83% of claimants are placed into the Support Group, 13% for WRAG and just 4% are found fit for work. You can see the full stats here. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-june-2023/esa-work-capability-assessments-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-june-2023

Jimm_Alumni

Thank you for those stats Poppy, will make some interesting reviewing later...

I hope everything goes well with your husband's assessment Chucky

chucky1

That sounds encouraging 
I think I'm trying to establish how reassessments work are the health assesors looking to see if things have changed for you 

poppy123456

chucky1 said:

That sounds encouraging 
I think I'm trying to establish how reassessments work are the health assesors looking to see if things have changed for you 

Reviews are the same process as a first time claim. There’s no difference. 

perdita

Hi @chucky1, has your husband received an assessment appointment? If so, when is it so I can keep you both in my thoughts. I still haven't heard anything yet. 
Sending love and hugs to you both xx

chucky1

Hi perdita no he hasn't heard anything the above was an old message that I forgot to reply to x

carbow32

My last two assessments have both stated and taken into consideration information given back to 2009

perdita

@chucky1 😄 there was me thinking that you had finally heard something.  Sorry that you haven't. How is your husband doing? I am sure that you are a great support to him, but it isn't easy waiting for the post each day is it? 
Keep strong, you are in my thoughts every day x