DWP confirms that requirement to provide medical evidence has been reintroduced for ESA claims received from 10 July 2020

New edition of the Department's 'Touchbase Coronavirus Special' also advises that requirement is being introduced gradually for claims in existence prior to 10 July 2020

The DWP has confirmed that the requirement to provide medical evidence has been reintroduced for employment and support allowance (ESA) and new style ESA claims received from 10 July 2020.

In a new edition of its Touchbase Coronavirus Special, the DWP advises that -

'As part of the Department's response to COVID-19, the requirement to provide medical evidence to support claims to ESA and new style ESA was deferred. We are now reintroducing this requirement on a phased basis. All new claims received from 10 July 2020 for ESA and new style ESA must be supported by medical evidence.'

In addition, the DWP says that -

'For claims in existence prior to 10 July 2020, medical evidence will be introduced gradually and we will write to all of those claimants advising the date from which they are required to provide evidence in the coming weeks.'

The latest edition of the DWP's Touchbase Coronavirus Special is available from gov.uk