UC Reviews have restarted

2

Comments

  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited June 2023
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
  • Asia23
    Asia23 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Asia23 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.

    It's extremely unlikely that you will receive any forms anytime soon. The only reviews that are taking place are for selected few people that are claiming UC. Also for those that received their forms within 2 months of the first lockdown and didn't have a decision at the time. There were some people where they couldn't make a decision through paper alone so some of those are still waiting.

    Yes, you can ring ESA to ask what date they have as a referral but as always, it's just a guide and you may not even be contacted at that time. I also claim Income Related ESA with SDP so i'm not expecting a review anytime soon either. I certainly won't be ringing ESA to ask for any review date because for me, it just doesn't help.

    You are correct that those on Income Related ESA will not be migrated to UC until at least 2028 (unless they also claim Tax Credits) or a change of circumstances prompts a move in the meantime.

    Whether reviews will be restarted by then is anyone's guess.
  • Asia23
    Asia23 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    Asia23 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.

    It's extremely unlikely that you will receive any forms anytime soon. The only reviews that are taking place are for selected few people that are claiming UC. Also for those that received their forms within 2 months of the first lockdown and didn't have a decision at the time. There were some people where they couldn't make a decision through paper alone so some of those are still waiting.

    Yes, you can ring ESA to ask what date they have as a referral but as always, it's just a guide and you may not even be contacted at that time. I also claim Income Related ESA with SDP so i'm not expecting a review anytime soon either. I certainly won't be ringing ESA to ask for any review date because for me, it just doesn't help.

    You are correct that those on Income Related ESA will not be migrated to UC until at least 2028 (unless they also claim Tax Credits) or a change of circumstances prompts a move in the meantime.

    Whether reviews will be restarted by then is anyone's guess.
    I hope you're right Poppy.  I hope I am deferred again and am not reviewed this summer.  It's agonising having the anticipation and I prefer to be prepared as best I can, in case.

    I totally understand you not ringing the ESA helpline to find out your review date.. I know some people have said that when they have done so, it inadvertently prompts an ESA50 being sent out to them.  But, once my review date has passed, I may well be tempted just for my own comfort level.  I'll see how I feel then.

    If ESA reviews do restart sooner than 2028 (which I think more than likely), I'm sure the helpful posters on this site will give us a heads up!  :)

     
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    @Asia23 I don’t understand why you posted the same comment as last night. I did reply to you. 
  • Asia23
    Asia23 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    @Asia23 I don’t understand why you posted the same comment as last night. I did reply to you. 
    Not sure why that's happened?! I posted a response to you above, Poppy. So sorry. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Sorry @Asia23 The comment got stuck in our spam filter! I'll tidy it up :)
  • Asia23
    Asia23 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    Sorry @Asia23 The comment got stuck in our spam filter! I'll tidy it up :)
    Thank you 😊
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited June 2023
    Asia23 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.
    I cannot guarantee your claim has been extended, not everyones has, but regardless your claim will continue regardless, the review date is just a guide anyway, my husband has never ever been reviewed on his review date always 5-7 years later and he's been on ESA since it was created. He's only had 2 reviews in 15 years even though he should have had 6 according to the dates. Don't worry about the review dates..it's completely meaningless. It's completely true that calling ESA has triggered reassessments that's because people call up asking about when they are gonna be reviewed and some call centres mark it down as a change in circumstances and they are being reviewed, which is why I have advised people not to call them up asking about that.

    I also cannot guarantee reviews won't restart(they certainly will for CB) that is my father's speculation not confirmation. Either way I would try not to focus on being reviewed, it's not gonna happen anytime soon, reviews restarting is not even being discussed.
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    edited June 2023
    paries1 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    Asia23 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.
    I cannot guarantee your claim has been extended, not everyones has, but regardless your claim will continue regardless, the review date is just a guide anyway, my husband has never ever been reviewed on his review date always 5-7 years later and he's been on ESA since it was created. He's only had 2 reviews in 15 years even though he should have had 6 according to the dates. Don't worry about the review dates..it's completely meaningless. It's completely true that calling ESA has triggered reassessments that's because people call up asking about when they are gonna be reviewed and some call centres mark it down as a change in circumstances and they are being reviewed, which is why I have advised people not to call them up asking about that.

    I also cannot guarantee reviews won't restart(they certainly will for CB) that is my father's speculation not confirmation. Either way I would try not to focus on being reviewed, it's not gonna happen anytime soon, reviews restarting is not even being discussed.
    I always thought that calling them
    up triggered a reassessment and I’ve avoided speaking to them in the past at all costs because of this, thanks for confirming that this does actually happen . 
    It shouldn't happen at all but It does occasionally happen, especially if you mention anything about a review, phoning up to change a phone number etc shouldn't cause any issues just don't mention a review.
  • Asia23
    Asia23 Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    JBS2022 said:
    Asia23 said:
    JBS2022 said:
    My last review was back in 2020. When I didn't get the expected esa50 in '21 i called and was told it had been extended. same happened last year i was told it was extended til 2025. sounds like i'm going to be waiting for ages.

    Yes, most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP, my dad says he doesn't think reviews for Income Related ESA will ever restart( CB may be a different matter although they are also still suspended) and everyone will be on UC by then anyway. The government don't care because it's cheaper to keep people on ESA(even including the Support Group component and SDP) than to move to UC where a majority would be better off. The thinking is also that the only people still claiming IRESA are the long term sick who have been WRAG/SG for so many years and are in effect unlikely to ever improve, that it doesn't really matter since it's being scrapped anyway so why bother paying for reviews. This comment is regarding income related ESA since CBESA will still continue.
    Hello @JBS2022

    You mention most ESA claims have been extended by the DWP.  My deferred review is scheduled for the end of this summer and so I would expect an ESA50 next month normally.  Don't they send them out around 8 weeks prior to the review date?  As you previously reassured me, perhaps as I was awarded in the 2 months prior to lockdown with a paper-based decision and, but for Covid, should have been reviewed in the summer of 2021, that may not now be happening? I hope so but I need to be prepared, just in case.

    You previously mentioned that they are planning to extend both ESA WRAG and Support group claims by up to 3 years whilst they concentrate on reassessing a randomised selection of UC LCW and LCWRA claims.  If I am courageous enough to phone the DWP once my review date has passed to be told my claim is deferred for a further 2 years, say... how confident should I be that I won't be reviewed in that 2 years?  The reason I ask is because I am on Income Related ESA and you say your dad is of the opinion that my review may never happen.  I am also in the Support Group and get SDP.  I would have thought, though that once they have the capacity to fully roll out reassessments for UC LCW and LCWRA, they will tackle their ESA WRAG and Support Group backlog, regardless of whether or not they are Income Related or Contribution Based.  Those of us on Income Related ESA are not due to be managed migrated to UC until 2028 and 5 years is a really long time to leave people untouched, don't you think?

    Just trying to reassure myself.  Thank you for any insight.
    I cannot guarantee your claim has been extended, not everyones has, but regardless your claim will continue regardless, the review date is just a guide anyway, my husband has never ever been reviewed on his review date always 5-7 years later and he's been on ESA since it was created. He's only had 2 reviews in 15 years even though he should have had 6 according to the dates. Don't worry about the review dates..it's completely meaningless. It's completely true that calling ESA has triggered reassessments that's because people call up asking about when they are gonna be reviewed and some call centres mark it down as a change in circumstances and they are being reviewed, which is why I have advised people not to call them up asking about that.

    I also cannot guarantee reviews won't restart(they certainly will for CB) that is my father's speculation not confirmation. Either way I would try not to focus on being reviewed, it's not gonna happen anytime soon, reviews restarting is not even being discussed.
    Thank you @JBS2022.  I really appreciate your thoughts on this.  I will try not to worry but it's never easy. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    I've been claiming ESA for 10 years. For reviews i've never contacted them to ask when my expected review date it simply because it's just a waste of time. It's not guaranteed that you will be contacted on or near that date because it's just a guide. If i sat here worrying about it the whole time then i would only make my health conditions so much worse because stress and worry, increases my pain massively. For this reason i always put it to the back of my head and wait until that white envelope comes through the letter box.
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    As poppy stated contacting ESA about reviews is pointless, it will happen when it happens. Wasting time worrying about it  just causes anxiety and stress. People claiming ESA and/or PIP usually have enough health issues to worry about as it is. 
  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,068 Championing
    @JBS2022 Thank you for the very useful information, like others I seem to have been selected for review as had the journal message requesting permission to contact my GP.
    Following this message I see two others have gone on to have a UC50 sent within a fortnight and one was awarded LCWRA again without a full assessment.
    My journal message was just over 5 weeks ago and I am still yet to hear anything further (I responded the next day with the information requested).
    If for some reason I haven't heard by the 15th (a date I saw mentioned elsewhere here), do you have an opinion as to whether the review process would stop for me, or carry on?
  • perdita
    perdita Online Community Member Posts: 107 Contributor
    Thanks JBS2022 your post seems to have confirmed my experience.  I was on IRESA up until September 2022. I changed to CESA in September due to taking a small private pension. I also applied for UC in April this year which was successful.  
    I had my last review in 2019 which kept me in the support group. However I have just recieved my ESA50. Based on your post it must be because I am on CESA now. 
    Lucky Lucky me 😄 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Danny123 said:
    I last got reviewed nov 2019 for esa about 4 and a half months before COVID hit , got awarded for 2 years and should of been reassessed Nov 21 .... Since then I've moved on to a combination of contribution based and UC .... God knows where this leaves me 🤦🤯
    CB ESA reviews have started again. Though this doesn’t mean you’ll be contacted. 
  • perdita
    perdita Online Community Member Posts: 107 Contributor
    Danny 123 totally agree with Poppy, just because our dates and circumstances are a little similar doesn't mean you will get a review any time soon. All you can do is wait and see what happens.
    Even though I am having a bit of a melt down at the moment filling the form in, I am telling myself at least I am getting it done. We all have to have them at some point.
  • smelly3
    smelly3 Online Community Member Posts: 44 Listener
    I have heard people on IRESA claiming they have also started receiving ESA50 forms, unfortunately my dad retired 2 weeks ago, so I can no longer comment on whether they have restarted or not. They do seem to be prioritising CB though.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    smelly3 said:
    I have heard people on IRESA claiming they have also started receiving ESA50 forms,
    Only those that haven’t been reviewed for an extremely long time, such as 8+ years. All others are still suspended.

    Also those that returned their forms before the pandemic and didn’t have a decision. 


  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Danny123 said:
    I'm on a mix of CB esa and UC so I'm really not sure what will trigger one first , maybe if their prioritising CB esa that may trigger one before UC .... 
    Your WCA should be managed by UC not ESA.