ESA reassessment

Butterfliess

Hi,

firstly I’m totally aware that there are huge backlogs in In reassessments of those in the support group. I have been receiving ESA SG for a long time and I can not remember the last time I was reviewed.. if i ever even was?

I recently had my pip review form through, filled it in and sent it off. My question or should I say worry is. My condition is something I feel I will always struggle with and although I have made some improvements in ways over the years I still struggle on a daily basis . It’s a mental health condition so therefore I would say unless you know me fairy hidden. If PIP come back and say I no longer qualify for it will this mean I need to inform ESA. My worry is that when I get reassessed by ESA they will say I have improved enough to work. Even though I feel this is not the case. I will then be accused of not deserving ESA and owe them or something. I’m sorry for the long post but as you can read I’m feeling rather vulnerable and wondering if I need to talk to ESA .

Appreciate any advice as always 😊

poppy123456

There's not really any backlogs for ESA reviews for those in the Support Group because they haven't yet started back for most people. Only some people are being contacted.

If your PIP is refused they very often share information with other departments so yes they may inform them. This doesn't mean you'll be reviewed again for ESA. I noticed from a previous thread that your ESA is contributions based/New style, which means you don't need to inform them because it will not affect it.

If you're still claiming Universal Credit as well and you're claiming with a partner and they currently claim carers element for looking after you then yes you need to report the changes to UC. Carers element will stop.

If you have non dependants living at home and you're currently claiming for help with the rent if you lose the daily living award for PIP then you could be affected by non dependant deductions. It will depend on the circumstances and age of the non dependant.

Please also remember that PIP and the work capability assessment are two completely different benefits.

Butterfliess

Hey,

Thanks for taking the time to reply Poppy, it is much appreciated.
As I understand it if I was to be refused PIP would it be up to them to inform ESA if I need to be reviewed? If this was to happen would I be in trouble for not informing them? I think for me I constantly feel as though I don’t deserve the benefits I get, even though I struggle the way I do if that makes any sense. Does my current ESA award stand until they decide otherwise ? Also, is it worth ringing and finding out when I’m due to be reviewed as I don’t think I have since 2016.

We receive nothing as a household other than my ESA CB, PIP And child Benefits.

Thank you ☺️

poppy123456

You're welcome. If all of your ESA is CB then they wouldn't even be informed. No, it's not up to PIP when your ESA review is, that's up to ESA.

No, it's not worth ringing to ask when you'll be reviewed because for the majority of people that are suspended. When they do start back up there will be backlogs. Timescales they give are only a guide and it doesn't mean you'll be reviewed at that time.

Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to UC?

You really shouldn't feel bad for claiming the benefits you're entitled to.

Catherine21

I had ten years then 2020 form came filled out not heard anything and don't want to lol

Butterfliess

Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me Poppy.

I gather it’s just a waiting game for when I will finally be reviewed again by ESA. I think because it’s been such a long time since I did have a review that I wonder if I should call them to check I’m still getting the right entitlement. My worry is though my condition have remained the same, things within that have changed over the years including changes to medication. If the makes sense? And though I feel as I am still entitled to ESA DWP opinion might be different. I have been reviewed 3 times by PIP since I was as last reviewed by ESA and I don’t have any report of what put me in the SG.

We used to claim UC but we closed our claim when my wife started a new job as self employed.

I agree no one should feel bad for claiming what they deserve but the system feels so daunting at times.

poppy123456

You're welcome. ESA Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise. It doesn't just end unless you're either found fit for work or you're placed into the Work Related Group.

You don't need to ring them to check anything because there's been no review and you're still in the Support Group. A change of medication isn't something that needs to be reported. You only need to report changes if your conditions have improved enough for you not to qualify for Support Group.

The reason it's been so long without a review is because there's been very few reviews in over 4 years.

Yes, I thought that was the case with your UC because I seen your past thread where I advised you. You didn't need to close that claim because your wife had started self employed work.

Please use a benefits calculator to check entitlement because a partner that works doesn't mean there's no entitlement to UC. You will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

Your ESA payments will continue as normal but be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Butterfliess

Thank you again 😊

So if the DWP decided in a review to no longer award me ESA support group and either move me or sign me for fit for work. Would I be in trouble ? I think my conditions still qualify me for the award I receive at current but worry they will not feel the same way.

i only know of someone being reviewed in the ESA WAG so wonder if they are working their way through those first?

Yes I agree I think at time we would have definitely still qualified for UC. I’m not sure we will now as some months she earns over the threshold.

I find the system her anxiety provoking, probably part of my condition but also see many people struggle with anxiety around it too. We are lucky to have a place to seek advice as there is so little out there to help.

poppy123456

You won't be in any trouble because you said yourself that your conditions haven't changed.

Yes, you're correct it's mostly only those in the WRAG/LCW that are being reviewed.

For UC What her maximum earnings would be will depend on your circumstances and what your maximum UC entitlement will be. You will have the work allowance on your claim, so some of the earnings she receives will be ignored before deductions apply.

You should still use the benefits calculator to check entitlement and then apply again if there is. That threshold you mention would be higher for you due to your circumstances. If your PIP includes the daily living part then your partner can claim carers element of UC for looking after you. As a carer she will have no commitments to look for work or attend appointments.

Yes, it causes many people more anxiety.

Butterfliess

Afternoon 😊

thank you for answering all my concerns it is really appreciated. No, my actual condition have not changed. Things within them have some for the better some for the worse. I think if I had the reasons I was put in the SG It would help but it was so long ago and I can’t find any letter stating why. In all honesty a lot of this is my anxiety talking. It’s always spiked around the time my PIP review forms are filled and sent off.

That’s interesting regarding UC and it could be worth us doing a benefit calculation, it’s been a long time since I did one and not since we had our little one.

My wife’s earnings change on a weekly basis so it might make things difficult?

Kimmy87

UC has a rolling monthly assessment period.

So at the end of each AP, they would look at what your wife has earned and adjust the next UC payment accordingly.

Butterfliess

So she would just put her earnings in weekly? I claimed UC for a few years but it was solo whiles not working then with my wife as PAYE so earnings automatically got sent through to UC.

poppy123456

As she's self employed when you claim UC she will need to report that she's self employed. She will need to attend her local job centre for a very brief appointment with a work coach. As she's a carer she can't be found to be gainfully self employed and the minimum income floor will not apply to her.

She will still be expected to report her earnings and expenses on the last day of each assessment period.