Do I need to report a new medical condition to ESA?

Anonymous26
Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

Hi! New poster here and feeling very anxious.

I currently am in the support group for ESA for my anxiety and depression, which have stayed the same so there's no need to report a change to these.

I recently got diagnosed with autism, I was wondering if I need to inform the DWP of this? I'm filling in forms for a PIP claim for my autism so not sure if I need to inform ESA of this, since I'm only claiming ESA for anxiety and depression and not looking to claim it for my autism. I have no idea when my next ESA assessment will be since it's been all over the place since COVID.

I was wondering if me claiming PIP for autism will count as informing them as I really don't do well with phone calls, I find it almost impossible to talk over the phone due to my anxiety so I'd rather not have to go through that if I don't have to

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    You are already in the Support Group and this is the highest group. For this reason you do not need to report a new health condition because nothing changes.

  • Anonymous26
    Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you so much, this has put my mind at ease as I have to prepare myself for phone calls and it gives me so much anxiety.

    I was also wondering, if I'm awarded PIP do I need to inform ESA of this?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    Which ESA are you claiming? Is it New style or the old contributions based or Income Related?

  • Anonymous26
    Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

    I'm currently claiming Income Based ESA

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    If awarded daily living PIP do you currently live alone or with other adults? If with other adults are they either registered blind or do they claim a disability benefits their self, such as PIP/ADP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA?

  • Anonymous26
    Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

    I currently am living at home with my mum, she claims income based JSA at the moment, she's not registered blind or claiming any disability benefits

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    Thanks. That means your ESA won’t change if awarded PIP.

  • Anonymous26
    Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you! :) will I need to ring up ESA and tell them if I'm awarded PIP or will they already know?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    If awarded PIP you will not need to ring ESA to tell them because it will not change your ESA entitlement.

  • Anonymous26
    Anonymous26 Community member Posts: 12 Listener

    Oh ok, thank you! :)