Overdue ESA Review

Eviesmum23

Hi, my most recent ESA review was Feb 20: a mere few wks before Covid etc. I’m in the support group. I was of the understanding *most* reviews were suspended due to backlogs. Is this still the case? However I did have a PiP review June 22 which was further awarded till 2027. Relieved of course however I’m still concerned about my overdue ESA review. Any thoughts please? 

poppy123456

ESA Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise so your review isn't overdue. Some people have received forms for a review recently. My last ESA review was also just before the pandemic started and i haven't had another since then.

PIP is irrelevant because it's a different benefit.

Albus_Scope

Heya @Eviesmum23 and a big welcome to the community. 
I hope you're doing well today?

I can see you're already getting some top help, but I just wanted to let you know I'm moving your post into a different category so more people will be able to see it.  I hope that's ok?

Eviesmum23

Thanks Poppy, yes I was aware that PIP was a different benefit and would have been dealt with by another dept; I just thought I’d mention it whilst I was enquiring about ESA reviews. Thanks again for your response. I was anxious about having to fill in another review form re: ESA given I’ve been hearing about people being unfairly ‘removed’ from the benefit after a review and am very anxious I’ll get a form sometime soon. I was hoping they had been suspended still 

carbow32

Eviesmum23 said:

Thanks Poppy, yes I was aware that PIP was a different benefit and would have been dealt with by another dept; I just thought I’d mention it whilst I was enquiring about ESA reviews. Thanks again for your response. I was anxious about having to fill in another review form re: ESA given I’ve been hearing about people being unfairly ‘removed’ from the benefit after a review and am very anxious I’ll get a form sometime soon. I was hoping they had been suspended still 

I am in the same situation anxious about it all the time.  It makes my health worse.

Remina

Yeah, I hate playing the ''waiting game'' for my ESA review, feel sick waiting for the sound of the letterbox each day.. In a way I wish they would just hurry up and send me the assessment form so I can get it out of the way, but at the same time I don't want it to arrive in case it all goes badly, I lose my ESA and SDP and then I have to go to tribunal to appeal the decision, etc..

It's frustrating because all the worry about the review is interfering with letting me concentrate on my medical treatment, all this constant worry/anxiety isn't healthy.. 

Eviesmum23

Yes it’s totally demoralising isn’t it! I’ve in the past had to go through the tribunal system twice and on both occasions my benefit for Pip was reinstated. They just don’t care about the effects this has on people’s mental health albeit my disability’s are physical. 

carbow32

They don't careless.  I could almost put a claim in for the effect they have on my mental health let alone the rest of it.