Contribution Based ESA

HealthyUnicorn

I have been in the support group since summer last year. When can I expect a reassessment or have I missed something?

In my decision letter there is a recommendation to reassess after 12 months but those 12 months have lapsed.

poppy123456

Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise, it has no end date. The timescale they gave you is just a guide and it doesn't mean you'll be reviewed at that time. Reviews for the majority of people in the Support Group/LCWRA are suspended anyway.

HealthyUnicorn

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/933599#Comment_933599

really?

Does that mean my award is forever? I don’t get it. What prompts a new decision if I am not reassessed?

poppy123456

Yes really, for as long as you remain entitled to it. Only a review could change that decision.

HealthyUnicorn

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/933934#Comment_933934

so when can I expect to be reviewed? I can’t find any information online that confirms reviews have been suspended.

poppy123456

Your guess is as good as mine. I'm also in the Support Group for ESA and my last review was 2020, just as the pandemic started.

There's not much information online for anyone to find. All I know is that for the majority of people they are still suspended. Selected few were contacted last summer but since then very few have been contacted.

Reviews have only been for those in the WRAG/LCW.

HealthyUnicorn

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/933967#Comment_933967

Interesting. Thanks for letting me know.

I suppose if I report a change if circumstances then I’ll be reviewed?

poppy123456

You're welcome. If you report changes to your health condition then yes you would be referred for another WCA. However, as you're already in the Support Group you would only need to report changes if your health condition improved enough for you not to be entitled to Support Group.

No point reporting a worsening of condition because Support Group is the highest award for ESA.

HealthyUnicorn

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/934070#Comment_934070

That is what I figured. My health condition has changed but for the worse eg I see a specialist every 8 weeks for monitoring and medication adjustment.