Esa reassessment

Hello everyone.

My wife has been ill for over a year now, She had a medical in January for Esa and was placed in the Work related group. She attended all her pathway to work interviews, I accompanied her. The staff were very helpful with no pressure. Her last interview was in August. On september 8th she received another Esa50 form, one month after her last pathway interview. On september 9th she was granted Ill Health Retirement, What can she do. Does she really have to go through all the process again. Thanks

Hi idchapp

I'm afraid she does. The Government seem to think that if you put enough pressure on sick people it will make them get better!

I'm not sure if she will have to have the full six interviews again.

Best wishes to you and your wife.

Derek

Many thanks for your reply. even the Pathways to work people thought it was a bit quick to be getting another form, they have offered to help in filling it in, and having just joined Benefits and work today, I am finding the info here very helpful, Thanks again.

Hi idchapp,

The small bit of good news is that there is usually only one Pathways to Work interview rather than the six your wife had the first time.

Good luck,

Steve

My son also got ESA awarded for 6 months, but when we filled in the second ESA50, he did not have to go for a medical and it is for 18 months this time.

Hi Kazzen, That was good for you and your son to get that that award for that period of time. Did you supply more medical evidence after the initial 6 month award? If so that may be the reason plus the fact that with the migration from IB to ESA etc going on at the moment the DWP and ATOS seem to be at bursting point with applications/appeals and so on. If you complete your forms like this site advises and supply enough medical evidence you sometimes get a Decision Maker who takes all your info into account and awards you the correct benefit. I got my IB awarded last year to August 2012. (with the help of this site and medical evidence) Best Wishes