Can any ESA expert help me with this please

[Uncertain]

Can any ESA expert help me with this please.....

 

I've been getting (contribution based) ESA for just over a year. Like most people, sadly, I was failed at the 13 week medical. However this decision was reversed, without going to a formal appeal, when I provided more medical evidence. I was then placed in the Support Group (which shows just how wrong the so called medical was)!

 

About six weeks ago I was sent a further ESA50 form to complete. I was dreading this process going round again but my GP confirmed that he would happily issue certificates if I had to go through the appeal process. He expected I would be called to a further "medical".

 

I delayed sending the form back until the full six weeks was nearly up to put off the expected problem! I gave as much detail as possible including contact details for specialist and GP.

 

Today I received a standard (??) letter from my local BDC which begins by telling me the new rates from 12 April.

 

It then goes on to say what I should do if I think the decision is wrong.

 

The third page lists how the slightly increased figure is made up - in my case the basic £65.45 plus "extra money because you are in support group" of £31.40.

 

Does this mean my claim has been renewed without a further medical or is this just a standard letter that everybody is getting and the date is a co-incidence? Not enough time has gone by for them to have contacted my GP and specialist.

 

If my ESA has been "renewed" how long before this all goes round again?

 

Any info would be much appreciated and set my mind at rest!

 

Thanks

[OneStepEachDay]

I got this letter too advising me of the changes to the rate, then two weeks letter got the results of my medical advising me I had 0 points. (Which I am appealing but that's a different story for another thread!)

 

I think the rate changes letter is a standard letter, but hopefully this time around things will be easier for your application.

 

Fingers crossed!

P

[Uncertain]

Thanks for your reply.

 

The letter is so badly worded it is really a 50:50 call either way. It is personalised and dated exactly the deadline day for the ESA50 form.

 

They should have received the form about three days earlier. As the change in rate does not apply until 12 April I wondered if it was only triggered once they knew I would be getting the benefit on that date.

 

Probably I'm crediting them with too much thought!

 

I expect I will have to go through the farce again!