ESA time....

Stiff upper lip and all that bunk, you will sale through no probs and if you need any advice you can always ask Denise LOL x

Hope it all goes well. I filled my ESA form in myself and was awarded support group. If I can do that and make myself understood, then you definitely can. You're far more able to put your case across eloquently than I am. Follow your own advice and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Just read today an update on when assessors should recommend no further f2f. Maybe you will come into one of their categories. Checked it against my own circumstances and I shouldn't be called in again according to their recommendations, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I will still need a f2 f in order for them to tell me that I think although I haven't had a face to face up to now and my decision was paper based. Best of luck.

Thanks, i really hope so! I certainly will LOL xx

 

Thanks Jackie, I definitely still meet a Support Group descriptor so i'll definitely be stating this in the ESA50 form along with evidence to prove i meet it. Last re-assessment was a paper based assessment, i'm really hoping for the same this time.

If you met the rules for no further re-assessments then this applies even with a paper based assessment. You do not have to have a face 2 face assessment to meet this criteria. To know for sure whether you did though you'll need to ring ESA and ask the simple question...... how long is your current award for. If it's no further assessments they'll tell you.

When was your last re-assessment? if it was after October 2017 then you have a chance for no further assessments because this is when the new rules came out. New rules were for those in the Support Group, after their next re-assessment they could be awarded this depending on the evidence and how their condition affects them. Of course not everyone will be given this, in fact i've only ever heard of 3 people since the announcement. Sounds amazing though doesn't it, no further assessments for ESA!! I can only HOPE! The new rules don't apply to those currently in the WRAG.

Thanks again for the kinds words! x

Hi Denise.

My last ESA assessment was around March/April 2017 and it was for 2 years. This was my first assessment and was paper based although they did write to my GP. I was put into the support group and I didn't ask to see the assessment report and neither did I ask how many points I got. I would have qualified on the 50 meter descriptor. In your experience, do people who have had a paper based assessment usually get called for face to face next time. The reason I am asking is because I was assessed prior to last October when the new rules were announced. If I remember rightly, everyone was still going to need to be reassessed either f2f or paper based so that a decision can be made on whether further assessments are needed. I really hope I don't get regular reassessments. I have a condition that will not get better and is unlikely to improve unless medical science comes up with something amazing. I'm also 62. At what age does ESA stop? Is it state pension age? provided that you no other income. It's really quite a stressful experience mainly because of reading so many negative experiences of others who appear to be more than entitled but get nothing.

As your last assessment was before the new rules changes then yes, you will be re-assessed again and sent another ESA50 form before they decide whether the new rules apply to you.

I've heard of people having a paper based assessment multiple times in a row, i've also heard of people having paper based then face 2 face so there's not really an answer to that question.

Being placed into the Support Group isn't about scoring points, it's about satisfying at least one of the descriptors.

ESA stops at state pension age yes because ESA is a working age benefit.

 

Sorry to 'butt' in but if the ESA and PIP is not allowed after 64, (for applying), I should have retired at 60, then the 'goal posts' were moved and now I have been informed I can't have my state pension until 66, (at the moment). What fills the gap if they take PIP off me so it will not continue, so what do I live on in this gap? Why is 64 classed as stopping working age benefit, ESA  and for PIP reapplication etc? Is ESA  now paid up to when the claimant actually draws state pension?

It would have been a lot easier to see your question had you started a new thread. It's very difficult to keep up when people ask questions on other peoples posts and questions can easily get missed this way.

PIP is for those age 16-64 so once you reach your 65th birthday, if you don't already have an award then it becomes Attendance Allowance and there's no mobility part to this.  If a person is aged 64 then they can still put a claim in for PIP. If you already have an award when you reach 65 then you remain on PIP for as long as you qualify. If after an assessment the decision doesn't go in your favour, your MR fails and you take it to Tribunal, this will be your last chance. If a decision goes in your favour you're awarded, till the next review at least. If it doesn't then unless an error in law is found then that's the end of the road for PIP. It then becomes AA. You will continue to be re-assessed regardless of age, unlike DLA was.

ESA is a working age benefit and a person can claim this until they reach state pension age.

Sorry shall I still do that, just as ? So state pension age is individual for the ESA especially? I am pensioned off at 66, others 67 etc. etc. I thought if it was universally 65, I would have a whole 12 months or so with no income?

ESA is a working age benefit which means it stops when you reach state pension age. It also depends if you're male or female and when you were born, so everyone is different.  I don't know why you think you'll be left without money for 12 months, this wouldn't happen!

There's lots of advice on the internet about this please do some searches. If you're still unsure please speak to your local CAB or contact age UK for further advice.

I'm not sure what you mean by "shall i do that just as"

Thank you for that Denise and I hope it all goes well for you. X