From 28/1/2013 new regulations apply for Employment and Support Allowance. As well as some smaller changes to the descriptors (and exceptional circumstances rules), the new rules affect those receiving cancer treatment and no longer differentiate between non-oral and oral chemotherapy. The old rules meant claimants receiving radiotherapy lost out as they were often placed in the Work Related Activity Group for ESA.
The new evidence gathering process will see claimants with cancer being directed to a dedicated part of the ESA50 form, meaning they don’t have to complete the whole questionnaire.
Supporting medical evidence will be required from a relevant healthcare professional, which could include the claimant’s oncologist, GP or, where appropriate, a specialist cancer nurse.