ESA claim success

Yet again I have used your guides to do my sons ESA review and after a long wait he was re awarded support group ESA. No face to face or phone calls. Thank you so much for your guides.

Hi Izzy,

I have moved your message to a topic of its own so that other members can easily see your news and be encouraged by it.

I am so glad to hear that your son has got the award he deserves again. Thanks for letting us know

I've just had to complete a renewal for my daughter who has been in the ESA support group for 2 years. She was recently awarded high care and mobility after a face to face for PIP for which we are grateful and relieved but we are waiting for them to contact us now for another face to face health appointment for ESA. She has a long term disability which she was born with and goodness knows what she would do without her family and carers, as she can't travel independently nor does she have the ability to understand or complete the claim forms. I truly feel for those in genuine need and thank your site for all the assistance you have given to us.

Three years ago I relied upon the Benefits and Work legal guides when completing my ESA50 questionniare. This was in respect for both Mental and Physical Health components with regard to being migrated from Incapacity Benefit (Long-Term) onto ESA. Eventually after a wait of 13 weeks the DWP made the decision to place me into the Support Group for ESA. This decision was made without the need to be assessed 'face to face'; presumably because I had submitted sufficient and ample information including supporting medical evidence, which had allowed an informed decision to be made.

The idea that claimants in the Support Group are being 'left alone' with deferred reviews is news to myself. Contrary to this I was asked to return another ESA50 for review last year. Several months down the line and despite submitting virtually the same information and medical evidence mentioned above, the DWP have now deemed it necessary for me to be assessed face to face. Again, medical evidence was sent that backed up my request through my GP for a home visit to be considered. Despite this I have been sent an appointment to attend an assessment centre, which I am unable to do.

I have now had to ask my GP to submit Further Medical Evidence, enlist the support of a disability advocacy, and ask my MP to intervene on my behalf. (Which he agreed to do without hesitation). I am currently waiting anxiously for the DWP to reach a decision after they have agreed to re evaluate my case. I will inform this blog of the outcome in due course. It is like having the Sword of Damocles hanging over your head. Most of my disabilities are severe and will never improve over time. If anything there has been a level of deterioration. I can only hope and pray that common sense will prevail with the decision maker.