What will happen now?

EssexBoy11

Hi everyone, hope you're all well.

I have a telephone assessment with the DWP for ESA this week; just wondering now that we have a new government is anything going to change and is it possible it's just a phone call from the DWP to confirm a few details or a full assessment?

I'm currently in the WRAG but a lot has changed since my last assessment and also a few changes since I filled out the ESA50(?) questionnaire back in the autumn.

Kind regards

poppy123456

Nothing has changed at the moment. Whether there will be any changes in the future is anyone’s guess.

Your assessment will be the same as it always is and it will be. It will be the Health Assessment Advisory Service that will do the assessment.

How long it will last for will depend on how much information they need. For all my WCAs they’ve wanted to know what a typical day is like for me. I don’t know if this will be the same for you.

EssexBoy11

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885814#Comment_885814

Thanks for the reply and I haven't had an ESA assessment since 2017 I don't think, the pandemic put it on hold.

poppy123456

You're welcome. Yes, they were suspended from 2020. Those in the WRAG are currently being reviewed.

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @EssexBoy11, best of luck with your review! Changes to these reviews and assessments would take quite some time so you don't have to worry about things changing with the new government. They'd need to propose them, and even if accepted there would need to be time to train all the assessors on what was new.

So it will be the same as before, as Poppy mentions. Just let them know how you're affected and it should hopefully all go well.

We'll be here if you have any further questions!

EssexBoy11

Thank you for the replies, do you find out right away or is there a wait? Also does your ESA continue the same until a decision is made?

Kind regards

poppy123456

Once the assessment is completed a report will be written and returned to DWP. A decision can then take up to 12 weeks. Your payments will continue as normal in the meantime.

EssexBoy11

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/886250#Comment_886250

Thank you for the reply, that's good and sometimes are these phone calls just to confirm certain details on the ESA50? Sorry for all the questions btw.

Kind regards

poppy123456

Usually it's because they don't have enough of information to write the report so they will ask you questions. They don't always ask you to confirm what you wrote in the form.

EssexBoy11

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/886394#Comment_886394

That's fair enough, I have a few things that need adding anyway as for starters I've changed my medication since sending the ESA50 back and things have happened in my personal life.

EssexBoy11

Was due to have my telephone assessment today, they called but only to tell me they couldn't carry out the assessment because their computer systems are down.

Opted to wait and they'll call me later if things get back up and running again, what does this mean and even though they said it wouldn't will it affect my claim?

poppy123456

It means they couldn't do the assessment. You'll likely be sent another appointment at some point. No, your ESA will not be affected because it was their fault, not yours.

EssexBoy11

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear back after the assessment?

poppy123456

Once the report is returned to DWP a decision can take up to 12 weeks.

EssexBoy11

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/895056#Comment_895056

Thank you.

EssexBoy11

original-A18F34E0-D74F-4CD4-A24B-7E2D353D37F8.jpeg

Received this text from the DWP today, does this mean they've made a decision and does ESA continue until a decision is made?

Rachel_Scope

Hi @EssexBoy11.

The text doesn't mean they've made a decision yet, they are in the process of making one. I'm not sure about ESA continuing but I'm sure someone else will be able to help you with that.

poppy123456

ESA continues until a decision is made, which can take up to 12 weeks.

EssexBoy11

Thanks for the replies, I guess its just a waiting game now but hopefully I'll hear soon.