ESA/PIP advice

With the help of Benefits and Work 18mths ago, I won my appeal, and was put in the ESA support group, due to having severe Sleep Apnoea.Initially I was awarded 0 points, but at the appeal I was awarded 18.
Unfortunately my condition has not been treated, having tried various aids(C/Pap,Bi/Pap, mandibular devices, and lastly medication. I do want to be able to return to work, but after loosing my last job, due to severe sleepiness, I have in a round about way resigned myself that it wont be the case at the moment.

My questions to yourselves if you would be so kind to assist are

1) What are my chances of passing and being awarded PIP, as an addition to my ESA, on the grounds of Sleep Apnoea?
Up to recently I have thought that by applying for this,it may prompt the DWP, to process a re-evaluation of my ESA, and have to go through the completing of the medical form, medical examination, and possibly another appeal.
2) When I won my appeal for ESA, the judge informed me that I would be put in the Support group for a minimum of 6 mths, that was 18 mths ago.Since then i have heard nothing, and I am on edge wondering when the dreaded brown envelope will pop through my letterbox.
Would you suggest I contact the DWP, asking when i am due to be reassessed?

craig41 wrote: With the help of Benefits and Work 18mths ago, I won my appeal, and was put in the ESA support group, due to having severe Sleep Apnoea.Initially I was awarded 0 points, but at the appeal I was awarded 18.
Unfortunately my condition has not been treated, having tried various aids(C/Pap,Bi/Pap, mandibular devices, and lastly medication. I do want to be able to return to work, but after loosing my last job, due to severe sleepiness, I have in a round about way resigned myself that it wont be the case at the moment.

My questions to yourselves if you would be so kind to assist are

1) What are my chances of passing and being awarded PIP, as an addition to my ESA, on the grounds of Sleep Apnoea?
Up to recently I have thought that by applying for this,it may prompt the DWP, to process a re-evaluation of my ESA, and have to go through the completing of the medical form, medical examination, and possibly another appeal.
2) When I won my appeal for ESA, the judge informed me that I would be put in the Support group for a minimum of 6 mths, that was 18 mths ago.Since then i have heard nothing, and I am on edge wondering when the dreaded brown envelope will pop through my letterbox.
Would you suggest I contact the DWP, asking when i am due to be reassessed?

Hi c41,

1) PIP and ESA are totally different benefits with different qualifying criteria.

PIP assesses your Care, Daily Living needs and Walking/Going Out limitations.

ESA assesses your capability for work and/or work related activity.

Even though evidence of the medical conditions that you suffer will help, it is how the resulting limitations caused by the medical conditions affect "You" that may or may not give you a PIP award.

Applying for PIP should not instigate an ESA reassessment.

PIP Self Test

&

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)



2) Yes, Tribunals do give recommendations of when an ESA Award should be reassessed.

However, they are what they say, recommendations and have no legal standing.

In case you are not aware, the DWP starting deferring ESA reassessments in January 2014 due to the huge backlog.

We have many members who have gone 4 years or more since their last ESA award due to this.

The only way to find out the recommended date of your next ESA reassessment is to ring ESA.

They should be able to view this information in your file, on-screen :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

This should not instigate a reassessment of your current award.

bro58

Thanks for your help and for taking the time to reply