ESA assessments
Hi there
Please can you advise if I am likely to be reassessed for ESA, LWRCA, not UC. Non working group. Received my award in January 24. I was rather hoping that with the current delays due to backlogs I would avoid the dreaded re assessment.
Thank you
Comments
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No one knows when reassessments will resume at a large scale, they've only been doing a very limited number. It is somewhat inevitable we'll all have to go through them again in future unfortunately.
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I know. I was praying that it wasn’t going to happen as it’s being abolished in 28. Let’s hope they get too busy. When was your last assessment?
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Please see this https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1089044#Comment_1089044
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My last assessment was 2018, next one due 2020.
I actually received a UC Journal message 2 & 1/2 years ago and thought I was one of the few selected for reassessment, but I never heard back after giving them the information requested, my GP details.
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If you're in the ESA Support Group, you generally don't need to worry about reassessments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that existing claimants with Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) won't be reassessed, except in very limited circumstances, such as changes in health conditions or suspected fraud. ¹ ² ³
This change is part of the government's "Chance to Work Guarantee" aimed at giving people the confidence to try work without fear of reassessment. The DWP has stated that almost all people currently assessed as having LCWRA will never face a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessment again, except in exceptional circumstances. ⁴
Would you like to know more about the Support Group eligibility criteria or the WCA process?
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according to disability rights those in the non working group won’t be re assessed. Only those in the LWC ?
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I don't think that's correct, limited numbers of re assessments have been taking place for those getting LCWRA & ESA Support Group so it makes sense once assessments resume at scale everybody will be included.
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Correct Kimi, I've read that too. I got from here: Disability Rights.
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Is that an AI generated response??I have heard this aswell from various sources,but also heard that reassessments will be starting again in April 2026 for everyone,and the worse part is Labour have brought back face to face assessments,(The tories got rid of them)as they know less people will qualify for benefits that way.My last paper assessment was in 2019,and was given 2-3 years before next one,which still has not happened.The backlog for people waiting for assessments is huge though,so you would imagine the first people to be done would be people in LCW,and also people who were last assessed in 2017/2018,as they would be more overdue.Or,they may decide to choose the order based of level of disablity,ie people deemed to be less disabled may get reassessed first.
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Not sure the Conservatives stopped face to face, more covid did. Under Conservatives (Cameron years +) I had two visits at my house from a PIP assessment company and they were more than face to face make no mistake. Senior nurses asking you to stand up, how high can you lift your leg seated etc etc. Last one was late 2018.
This is what governments want back now covid is not the same threat, which is understandable really.
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you don’t have to attend a f—f appointment. You can by law request a video or phone interview. I did on my very first assessment. They have to agree as it’s part of the disability act. Not everyone can attend f-f appointments.
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Really?I thought that if you could not attend the assessment for health reasons,they came to your home to do it,I know people that are totally housebound that had home assessments.
Usefull info though,I will see if I can request a phone assessment instead of a f-f one,if and when it eventually happens,rather than pester someone to go with me to a f-f appointment.
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Well they didn’t come to my home. Thank goodness!
The government actually passed legislation that alll assessments must be by f-f or video. The disability acts says reasonable adjustments must be made.
How do you know how long your award is for ?
Do think that there is a back log of assessments? Some must go back for years?0 -
I don't think I had an option, the letter stated we will visit you at your home. They want the face to face back for a reason and they are starting with PIP. One claimant was told hers was a face to face assessment on her letter as she questioned it on this forum. Done them before for PIP claimants so they will do them again.
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Bring back face to face appointments. How can anyone assess your physical condition via the telephone? I wonder why so many prefer the phone or videolink? 🤔
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They can get a clear insight from diagnosis, prognosis, medical records, and a well-completed form.
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But what is there to fear? A cynic might think that some are swinging the lead.
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Point taken, but you don't need a diagnosis with PIP and a lot of claimants have next to nothing as medical evidence. A considerable number got PIP on a phone call during covid and I have read that one government party (maybe not Labour) want these to have face to face assessments. It is fair, look what I went through at my own house...
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My first assessment, staight after the initial application garnered zero points, it was at home. I assume it was a physician, as he had me lie on the couch to feel my wasted muscles. His manner was very sympathetic as i remember.
How could this man be so thorough via the telephone? He obviously couldn't!
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Correct. This is the reasons for starting them again, it is obvious, I am not being funny about this at all, they did face to face before and I don't see an issue if they started agsin.
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