ESA reassessments

[panpete]

I've just been reading the benefitsandwork forum, and read that an advisor on there had stated that some claimants, when the dwp deems them due for reassessment, are not being sent out an ESA50, but are being sent out a letter from Atos inviting them to a face to face medical.

This would be a big problem, because, the ESA50 gives you chance to say how you would like things to be for your medical, e.g. home visit, require transport arranged, record your medical, special aids that may be required etc

No chance to submit evidence etc, no time to collect it, depending on when the medical is.

How would one get around this?
What would they do if they were invited for a medical at atos without having been sent an ESA50 but had special requests to Atos?
This doesn't seem fair.

 

[RedDragon]

Try not to stress yourself, wait until they approach you. If they send you an appointment without issuing you an ESA50 contact them about any special needs you may have.

The whole benefits system seems set to "harass mode", don't give them that power.

 

[panpete]

I wonder if sending out WCA interview invites without ESA 50 is a common or rare practice.

 

[RedDragon]

Despite what we've been hearing the Review system is still massively delayed - I spoke with a London based hospice benefit advisor three days ago.

Perhaps a way of alleviating any possible future stress would be to prepare your response now collecting as much supporting evidence as possible - having something on standby might help.

 

[panpete]

Despite what we've been hearing the Review system is still massively delayed - I spoke with a London based hospice benefit advisor three days ago.

Perhaps a way of alleviating any possible future stress would be to prepare your response now collecting as much supporting evidence as possible - having something on standby might help.

I don't have as much supporting evidence as last year, as I am no longer in touch with a cpn, and the vulnerable-adult keyworker organisation lost it's funding and had to drop us (me and the other vulnerable adults here)

 

[tufty79]

How would one get around this?
What would they do if they were invited for a medical at atos without having been sent an ESA50 but had special requests to Atos?
This doesn't seem fair.

I would imagine you'd still be able to make those requests, and rearrange the medical.

Please don't turn this into your next anxiety focus.

 

[panpete]

I would imagine you'd still be able to make those requests, and rearrange the medical.

Please don't turn this into your next anxiety focus.

I'll try not to
I think it's on all claimants' minds, sadly.
Maybe (I hope) they only reassess people without an ESA50 in case of those claimants who want to go back to work, but are not quite ready.

 

[tufty79]

I've been assessed without an ESA50 previously (because I didn't send one back, not because they didn't send one out); I also managed to not pick up half my gp /mh team etc letters to take to my assessment.I *did*have my aassessment recorded though - I requested that as soon as I got an assessment letter and it wasn't a problem.
Despite/because of/regardless of all the above, I was put in the support group.

Hope that helps allay your worries etc..

 

[panpete]

I've been assessed without an ESA50 previously (because I didn't send one back, not because they didn't send one out); I also managed to not pick up half my gp /mh team etc letters to take to my assessment.I *did*have my aassessment recorded though - I requested that as soon as I got an assessment letter and it wasn't a problem.
Despite/because of/regardless of all the above, I was put in the support group.

Hope that helps allay your worries etc..

Aww I'm glad you had a good outcome.
Thanks, it does help.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I've just been reading the benefitsandwork forum, and read that an advisor on there had stated that some claimants, when the dwp deems them due for reassessment, are not being sent out an ESA50, but are being sent out a letter from Atos inviting them to a face to face medical.

This would be a big problem, because, the ESA50 gives you chance to say how you would like things to be for your medical, e.g. home visit, require transport arranged, record your medical, special aids that may be required etc

No chance to submit evidence etc, no time to collect it, depending on when the medical is.

How would one get around this?
What would they do if they were invited for a medical at atos without having been sent an ESA50 but had special requests to Atos?
This doesn't seem fair.

The above is the sort of reason why I encourage people to keep a file of any and all letters with regard to medical appts, outcomes etc - it makes it easier to have something to hand to stick up their nose if they try to pull shit like this.

With regard to home visits etc, the appointment letter will be accompanied by an 8 page leaflet explaining your rights, and how to access/apply for home visits, transport requirements, audio recording etc. It also includes a section asking you to bring in any special aids, medically-relevant correspondence and any medication you're currently prescribed.

 

[Chris.H.1961]

Never heard of not getting an ESA50 beforehand. I thought part of the process is for the Doc or HCP to read your ESA50 before starting the assessment? a) to see if what you say is consistent, and b) see if anything stands out in particular, and c) to give them an opportunity to trip you up if they can

 

[panpete]

The above is the sort of reason why I encourage people to keep a file of any and all letters with regard to medical appts, outcomes etc - it makes it easier to have something to hand to stick up their nose if they try to pull shit like this.

With regard to home visits etc, the appointment letter will be accompanied by an 8 page leaflet explaining your rights, and how to access/apply for home visits, transport requirements, audio recording etc. It also includes a section asking you to bring in any special aids, medically-relevant correspondence and any medication you're currently prescribed.

Hi I read further and read that for some claimants who have mental illness, they sometimes don't send an ESA50 and instead send out the assessment invite, because some mentally ill people don't like filling forms out.
They take the decision out of the claimants hands.

If a claimant receives an interview invite without an ESA50, can the claimant not insist on being sent out an ESA50.

Just sending out an interview invite without the ESA50 would cause more problems for a mentally ill person, as they are not being given chance or time to get their evidence together.

It sounds like they are just causing problems for mentally ill people deliberately by not giving the claimant chance to complete a questionnaire.

 

[Chris.H.1961]

Hi I read further and read that for some claimants who have mental illness, they sometimes don't send an ESA50 and instead send out the assessment invite, because some mentally ill people don't like filling forms out.
They take the decision out of the claimants hands.

If a claimant receives an interview invite without an ESA50, can the claimant not insist on being sent out an ESA50.

Just sending out an interview invite without the ESA50 would cause more problems for a mentally ill person, as they are not being given chance or time to get their evidence together.

It sounds like they are just causing problems for mentally ill people deliberately by not giving the claimant chance to complete a questionnaire.

While I hate to say I can see their side of things (Atos, dammed if they do send a form out, dammed if they don't) surely the person with mental health issues support worker/friend/relative can fill the questionnaire in on their behalf? That's the whole reason for the being a section for this on the ESA50 isn't it?

 

[ViolentPanda]

While I hate to say I can see their side of things (Atos, dammed if they do send a form out, dammed if they don't) surely the person with mental health issues support worker/friend/relative can fill the questionnaire in on their behalf? That's the whole reason for the being a section for this on the ESA50 isn't it?

Problem being that in terms of "support workers" and welfare advice generally, most local authorities have shed staff since 2010. Here in Lambeth we've lost about 60% of the welfare rights/support infrastructure/staffing over the last 4 years - there literally isn't enough help to go around, even with people like Greebo and I and lots of others pitching in to help friends and neighbours etc.

 

[andysays]

And in addition, some of those with mental health issues, as well as not having a support worker/access to specialist welfare advice, may very well not have much in the way of a network of friends/family etc, and may not feel comfortable about asking those they do have for advice or assistance.

Which is why I appreciate the support, advice and assistance available here

 

[tufty79]

Yup, absolutely.

 

[andysays]

...It sounds like they are just causing problems for mentally ill people deliberately by not giving the claimant chance to complete a questionnaire.

I know exactly what you mean, it can certainly feel like that at times, but in my more lucid moments I recognise that it doesn't need to be deliberate, it can just be a combination of ignorance and lack of empathy which is unfortunately standard for ATOS and the DWP.

But when you combine that with a tendency to worry unproductively about existing problems, and also imagine possible problems which may come up in the future but haven't actually happened yet (I do both of these, and I sense from your posts that you can do too), you can, if you're not careful, find yourself in a position where your worry leaves you unable to do anything.

You don't seem to be in that position ATM - the fact that that you've started this and other threads to ask for advice and support demonstrates that.

I won't suggest you try not to worry - I know myself only too well how pointless that advice can be - but do try to remember that there are always people here who can offer advice or just support (this is just as important, IMO), and we can help you try to find a way through the problems together.

 

[panpete]

Thanks Andysays

I do really appreciate the help and support given on this forum.
I wonder, if I received a letter inviting me to an interview, could I contact them and ask for an ESA50 because I would really like the time and chance to present my case.

 

[tufty79]

No harm in asking, innit?
It is a big 'if', mind.

 

[Chris.H.1961]

I wasn't trying to make out that it was easy or anything for people to find support, far from it. I know with all the cutbacks services are getting decimated. Not just down south either. And I understand not everyone has a support network of family/friends etc around them.

I was merely trying to point out (badly it seems) that Atos and/or the DWP can't use the difficulties someone has filling a form in as an excuse not to send one

 

[panpete]

I wasn't trying to make out that it was easy or anything for people to find support, far from it. I know with all the cutbacks services are getting decimated. Not just down south either. And I understand not everyone has a support network of family/friends etc around them.

I was merely trying to point out (badly it seems) that Atos and/or the DWP can't use the difficulties someone has filling a form in as an excuse not to send one

I know you weren't.
This is where the support on here comes in handy, for people with insufficient support elsewhere.
As much as I hated filling in the ESA50, I would sooner have one of those to fill, rather than being summonsed for a face to face without one.