ESA with no evidence and what to do with reviews

Mark8699
Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hello,

Is it normal to get ESA with no medical evidence? I found that strange recently when I read my medical report. 

I wanted to know what classes as change of circumstances too. Do you need to tell them you’re switching counselling to CBT etc or not?

Also with the reviews, do you just wait for your review to detail other stuff or? 

The benefits process is so confusing. It says I have agoraphobia diagnosed by healthy minds but this isn’t true. It was recently diagnosed and agoraphobia people think it means not going out at all but it can also mean.. crowds and supermarkets etc 

help please

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    You don’t need medical evidence for the work capability assessment.
    Mark8699 said:

    I wanted to know what classes as change of circumstances too. Do you need to tell them you’re switching counselling to CBT etc or not?
    That’s not classed as a change of circumstances.
    Are you in the Support Group?
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    I am in the support group yes
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Then you can’t be placed into a higher group than this. It’s an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    Ah okay. 

    What kind of stuff classes change of circumstances?

    I’m still not self caring etc and I think I was put support group for suicidal thoughts I think. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Unless your condition has improved then there's nothing to report.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    Mental health is such a sliding factor. How can you know if you’re fully healed :(
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    I think you're overthinking this and worrying needlessly. Please try to relax.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    You just hear horror stories of people going to the shop once or trying to get themselves better and being accused. 

    I do worry needlessly 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Going out to the shop and trying to do everyday things is not going to affect your ESA.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    What happens if you forgot bits of how your condition affects you? Should you wait till review 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    That's not a change of circumstances. You're already in the highest group so you just wait until your review. Reviews for work capability assessment have been suspended for quite some time so it could be quite awhile until you have a review.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    Can you call for a review?
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    poppy123456 said:
    You don’t need medical evidence for the work capability assessment.


    I didn't provide any medical evidence with my ESA form either?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Mark8699 said:
    Can you call for a review?

    Why would you want to do that? You're in the Support Group and you can't get a higher award than that. The only time you should do that is if your health conditions have significantly improved.
  • Mark8699
    Mark8699 Community member Posts: 79 Listener
    I guess the key word is significant. 

Categories