What will happen now?

EssexBoy11
EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

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

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

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

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

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

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

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

  • EssexBoy11
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    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
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 1,649 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

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

  • EssexBoy11
    EssexBoy11 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

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