Review form- ESA

fossoux

HI,  I completed the ESA review form and was sent a letter from my Job Centre stating that I’m entitled to ESA (income based) and placed in the Support group.  Is this the way in which they inform you of the decision made after completing the review form as it did not state how many points I had scored. Thanks

poppy123456

Hi,

It may have been yes, they have a very strange way of doing the ESA decision letters. Were you previously in the Support Group or is this the first time? It's not about scoring points, it's about satisfying at least one of the support group descriptors or reg 35.

fossoux

Hi @poppy123456,

thank for the help!  Yes have been in the Support group for 3 years. Received the review form and returned it’s then received the job centre letter stating I was entitled to ESA and have been placed in the support group.

fossoux

@poppy123456

just one other point- the letter did not say how long they had awarded ESA for. I don’t recall them telling me before when I was placed in the support group 3 years ago? Thank you

CockneyRebel

ESA is not a time limited benefit. It can be reviewed at any time from three months, however SG will normally be a 3 year review subject to backlogs

poppy123456

I disagree that the Support Group is normally for 3 years. They can still re-assess you anytime from 3 months and i've heard of this happening to people. My last time scale between re-assessments for my ESA was 2 years and i'm also in the Support Group.

ESA decision letters don't state a time scale. You can ring and ask DWP but it will still only be a guide.

fossoux

Thank you @CockneyRebel & @poppy123456.

I think I’m right in saying that ESA reviews can be undertaken after 3 months of an award being given and up to a period of 3 years, so in reality it could be anytime between those dates.

thanks for all the advice.

CockneyRebel

Yes, a review can take place anytime after 3 months of an award being given. Due to backlogs some reviews for SG group are being defered