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ESA Medicals & Support group |
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#76 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,631
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Quote:
How long does it realstically take
Another friend from the same area got the form a month later and received his response (again no need for a medical), about two days later*. I think the main thing is to fill the form in fully and in detail, and to try and send supporting evidence if possible (IE a letter from your GP/consultant specifying how it affects your ability to do things, and how work can affect your health). One bit of advice I tend to give anyone filling any government forms in is to keep copies of everything, that way if the original gets lost you can just send a copy rather than start from scratch. *Which is partly how I remember it, as it struck me as very strange that two people in the same area despite having had the forms a month+ apart received the result within about 48 hours of each other (almost like they were doing the forms based on location rather than date sent out/received).. The other reason I remember is that one of them asked me to make copies of his form as I have an all in one laser (and it was easier for me to copy it than him go to the library) |
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#77 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: dole office.
Posts: 35,061
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Quote:
How long does it realstically take
i think it takes a while for new claims though, best of luck, i know how stressful it is. |
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#78 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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Thanks
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#79 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Brain Donor, If you get into the support group you get paid the basic allowance of ESA plus a support component.
If you are eligible for income-related ESA and you are in the support group you will also automatically get an extra payment called an enhanced disability premium. Hope that helps. I wish getting the enhanced disability premium WAS automatic! We're coming across an awful lot of cases where people have been put in the support group but have only had the support component added to their claims and have had to claim EDP. I know its only £15.55 a week, but if you haven't been getting it for a year or so, that adds up to a lot in arrears. |
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#80 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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Ive worried about this for 3 days solid got a headache now
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#81 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,595
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Do you really want to spend your lives on ESA? How are you able to post so much on DS if you are all so ill?
I've had bouts of mental illness before where I've had to go on incapacity benefit but get so bored and depressed I end up back in work. |
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#82 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 938
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Quote:
Do you really want to spend your lives on ESA? How are you able to post so much on DS if you are all so ill?
I've had bouts of mental illness before where I've had to go on incapacity benefit but get so bored and depressed I end up back in work. |
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#83 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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I have to go down the doctors once acweek to have my uclerated feet looked at, and I cant wear shoes all dsy, and my feet have to be rose.
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#84 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 53,626
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I've been summoned to a medical on the 14th and i'm dreading it. I'm planning for failing and being taken off ESA within the week, so at least there won't be any surprises.
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#85 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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I've been summoned to a medical on the 14th and i'm dreading it. I'm planning for failing and being taken off ESA within the week, so at least there won't be any surprises.
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#86 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 53,626
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Quote:
Howvlong did you havevto wait after you sent off questionnaire
It would be handy to stay on ESA for another couple of weeks just so i can clear off a few things to prepare for the inevitable switch to JSA but I doubt that'll happen. |
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#87 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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I actually sent off the questionnaire back in February when I first got the letter, so it's been around 9 months. I was under the impression that, with all the stuff going on with ATOS pulling out and the backlog, i'd be waiting at least another year or so before being hauled in but it's happened now.
It would be handy to stay on ESA for another couple of weeks just so i can clear off a few things to prepare for the inevitable switch to JSA but I doubt that'll happen. |
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#88 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 53,626
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I received a letter about my benefits changing on Saturday, as you get a month to hand back thevquestionnaire, I guess I can not go into fullg worry mode until 2015 i panic to essy
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#89 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,799
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It's probably different for everyone. I'm massively worried about it, but I'm just trying to be as prepared as possible for having to go on to JSA and everything that that entails.
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#90 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
I had a medical with ATOS on Tuesday & have a hunch that I will need to appeal. The gentleman I saw first asked me about my epilepsy, so I explained to him that I didn't have epilepsy & that my drop attacks / blackouts are caused by Arnold Chiari Malformation with secondary Hydrocephalus.
The medical professional then said that he would make a note on his report, that I suffered from Vascular Malformation, which is a totally different condition, so I then politely told him again that my medical diagnosis is Arnold Chiari Malformation with Hydrocephalus. He then went onto say that Vascular Malformation is the medical term used for Arnold Chiari. .... I do hope that the decision goes in my favour, but if it doesn't then I think I have grounds of appeal, on the basis that he didn't even get right condition noted down. I did also offer him a CD with all my MRI scans on & he said that I would need to send them to the DWP, yet it was the DWP who told me that I should take that sort of evidence to the medical. So now I have to play the waiting game. .What an idiot. If you do need to appeal, I'd certainly mention it. The doctor's at tribunals aren't general fans of assessors rewriting medical textbooks. Especially when they're not even doctors, as is so often the case! Your strongest card is your episodes of loss of consciousness though. By way of reassurance, whenever I've know them not to do the full medical, it's because they've decided to put you in the support group. Failing to carry out the full assessment means they can't challenge anything you say at appeal about the descriptors they haven't looked at, and really exposes them to a successful appeal. |
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#91 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Some of the advice is quite helpful including that the appellant is more likely to be successful .... if they present additional evidence to the tribunal such as new or updated letters of support/medical statements from medical professionals like GPs and specialists consultants.
Agree with all of that, but with regard to new evidence it's important remember that they're reconsidering the decision made at the assessment. Anything that happens healthwise afterwards is only relevant if it's indicative of how bad you were at the time. |
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#92 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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So ALL medical results come via the phone and not via a letter ?
It seems a long time since she took the medical on the 22nd October I've never known them phone with the outcome, ime it's always notified by letter. have known the decision maker ring and ask for further info/clarification thugh. We always advise claimants not to discuss it over the phone, so many people inadvertently trip themselves up. Asking them to write with any queries they have is safest. |
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#93 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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What determines weather you get put in the support group is if you have support staff or not or any input from social services.
There are certain descriptors that automatically get you in the support group. Losing controls of bowels and bladder is one, I'm fairly sure loss of consciousness is another. They're easy to find online - google "support group descriptors". |
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#94 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 20,673
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Do you really want to spend your lives on ESA? How are you able to post so much on DS if you are all so ill?
I've had bouts of mental illness before where I've had to go on incapacity benefit but get so bored and depressed I end up back in work. Good for you being able to return to work, so many can't. |
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#95 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 20,673
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Hi i have just been given this link after being depressed all day.
I got a letter on Saturday, saying that my benefits were changing, and that in the next 2 weeks I would get a phone call. I have Cerbral Palsy, and havent really been out of the house for 5 years, bar going down to my doctors surgery, as I get ulcers quickly plus depression. I have looked at the form inline, and where I can do mist of the stuff stated, mentally im fragile. Been heavily depressed since Saturday no sleep, soent all day today, either in here or slagging myself of in chatrooms. Am I worrying too quick, as I believe you get a month to send back questionnaire, then on the firm it says the assessment coukd take 3 months, am I worrying too early |
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#96 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
Do you really want to spend your lives on ESA? How are you able to post so much on DS if you are all so ill?
It's those sort of assumptions about how ill people are based on the flimsiest of evidence that makes the chronically ill and/or disabled so anxious about all this stuff. |
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#97 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 21,375
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Woah, this thread of mine brings back memories.
How life has changed! |
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#98 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lancs
Posts: 14,452
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Think i'm ok til 2015 as my 2 period should have been up last month but looks like they are behind, how far i don't know but i'm shitting myself daily watching the letterbox
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#99 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,137
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My advice would firstly be to always collect as much medical evidence as possible. I ask for copies of any letters or reports after every medical assessment. I now have a file of evidence from about 10 different sources. The more compelling the evidence the more likely you will get a correct assessment decision....,indeed, I didn't have to undergo a face to face for either ESA or PIP as the evidence that I sent meant was so conclusive.
I would also read the descriptors before filling in the claim form and have them to hand while you complete it. It is always essential to fill the form in honestly...that equally means don't underestimate how your condition(s) affects you as well not exaggerating. The descriptors can be accessed here: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/wca You need at least 15 points on the limited capability for work test To be put into the Support Group one of the criteria from the limited capability for work related activity test needs to apply. There has been a lot of rubbish in the gutter press about most claimants being fit for work. There has also been scaremongering on forums. Whilst there are still major problems with the ESA assessment process it should be remembered that the total caseload is only 3.8% lower than when the coalition came to power and the percentages being awarded ESA and being put into the Support Group have never been higher. Yes the process is flawed and stressful for many claimants, and the road is often very bumpy but the better prepared you are the more chance you will get a correct decision. Good luck to everyone going through this process. |
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#100 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: The Deathstar
Posts: 15,385
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Quote:
What an idiot.
If you do need to appeal, I'd certainly mention it. The doctor's at tribunals aren't general fans of assessors rewriting medical textbooks. Especially when they're not even doctors, as is so often the case! Your strongest card is your episodes of loss of consciousness though. By way of reassurance, whenever I've know them not to do the full medical, it's because they've decided to put you in the support group. Failing to carry out the full assessment means they can't challenge anything you say at appeal about the descriptors they haven't looked at, and really exposes them to a successful appeal. |
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