Complaining About a Health Assessment for ESA

Complaining About a Health Assessment for ESA

Complaining about a health assessment for ESA

You can complain about your health assessment directly to the company who does this work for the government. This can help them improve the service.

This complaint is separate from asking fora mandatory reconsideration. For example you can complain if:

  • All your medications were not noted
  • All your conditions, diagnoses and symptoms were not noted
  • All information was not investigated even if it seems contradictory
  • You had no opportunity to explain your answers, or ask questions
  • The assessor drew misleading conclusions about everyday tasks
  • They only considered your limitations on ‘good’ days
  • Pain from repeatedly doing certain activities was not considered
  • The assessor was rude or unhelpful
  • Further medical evidence was not considered
  • You had to travel too far, or waited too long to be seen
  • The building did not have the reasonable adjustments e.g for wheelchairs, required by the Equality Act

For ESA assessments done until June 2018, you can write to:

Customer Relations Team
Health Assessment Advisory Service (CHDA)
Room 4E04, Quarry House
Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UA or email:

A sample complaint letter is on the back of this page.

You should receive an acknowledgement within 2 working days. CHDA will try to respond to the complaint within 20 working days but it may be longer if documents or information have to come from other organisations. When the investigation is finished, CHDA will notify the Dept for Work and Pensions if your report is inaccurate. But it cannot change your benefit decision.

If you are unhappy with the final response from CHDA, you can pursue it with an impartial body called the Independent Case Examiner.

The Independent Case Examiner

PO Box 209, Bootle, L20 7WA

Email Tel 0345 606 0777

Template complaint letter

Your address

______

______

______

Date:______

Dear Sirs

Re: Formal complaint about ______

My national insurance number is ______

I am writing to raise a formal complaint about my recent application for ESA. This complaint is about the application and claim process so far, and is not intended as an appeal against the decision about my eligibility for the benefit.

My complaint is that ______

I feel that the following actions should be taken to put this right ______

I would like a full written response to this complaint within 20 working days, outlining what action you will take to address this issue and any further steps you will put in place so it does not affect others in future.

Yours faithfully

Sign and PRINT your name

Top View