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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Work capability issues and ESA  →  Thread

Lifetime awards of ESA?

ub40worker
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Welfare Team, Kensington and Chelsea CAB

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Joined: 23 January 2018

Hi all,

I seem to remember David Gauke stating that people with disabilities and illnesses that are not going to get better- would not have to be reassessed? Did this actually come to fruition? I think this may have been in 2017?

ub40worker
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Welfare Team, Kensington and Chelsea CAB

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Total Posts: 96

Joined: 23 January 2018

I have found this -

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663399/improving-lives-the-future-of-work-health-and-disability.PDF

“What we are doing
66. We have stopped re-assessments for those with the most severe conditions in ESA and UC.
From September 2017 we introduced new criteria and guidance for healthcare professionals who
undertake WCAs. This allows them to recommend that customers with the most severe and life
limiting conditions should no longer be reassessed.

67. This will apply to both new customers, and those who have reached the point of reassessment to
decide future entitlement to benefit. It will reduce the burden we place on customers to continue to
produce evidence confirming the impact of their health condition or disability. We already have a
well-established process, for anyone who is terminally ill with less than 6 months to live. They are
automatically fast-tracked to the support group or UC equivalent without the need for a face to face
assessment. This new measure will ensure that individuals undergoing an assessment from now on,
with a longer prognosis,What we are doing”

But does anyone have any experience of challenging the healthcare professionals- as from reading this - it is still under their discretion- whether to stop reassessing them?

Charlie.RNIB
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RNIB Legal Rights Service

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ub40worker
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Welfare Team, Kensington and Chelsea CAB

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Total Posts: 96

Joined: 23 January 2018

Charlie.RNIB - 14 January 2019 10:26 AM

Hi

Disability Rights UK have got all the relevant info here

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/october/guidance-work-capability-assessment-reassessment-published

Thanks Charlie.