EsA

cas1971

I HAVE APPLYED FOR ESA TODAY as i have cervical spondylosis and i have arthritis coming in my knees too just wondered if anyone else gets esa with this condition.


caroline x

dreamdaisy

People do apply for ESA with all sorts of conditions, but getting it is not a foregone conclusion. I wish you well with your application, but don't get your hopes up too high. There are a number of people here who are going thro the appeals process at the moment, it is a beaurocratic, labyrynthine nightmare! DD

cas1971

dreamdaisy wrote:

People do apply for ESA with all sorts of conditions, but getting it is not a foregone conclusion. I wish you well with your application, but don't get your hopes up too high. There are a number of people here who are going thro the appeals process at the moment, it is a beaurocratic, labyrynthine nightmare! DD

hi DD

i dont hold much hope to be honest but if i can get some support that would help as i just cant seem to find a part time job that fits in with medication and this condition arghhhh.

caroline

barbara12

Hi cas1971
Sorry I cant help, I just want to say good luck with it, there are quite a few people on here waiting for a decision on it.
Love
Babara x

frogmorton

Good luck Cas

I hope you get it.

There is a thread on here somewhere which doesn't' make cheerful reading think it's called DWP atos and something else. Lots of people have posted on it to support each other.

I really hope you get it first go.

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

You never know until you try, so my fingers are crossed. Working is such a difficult area when one is battling with ill health, one's willingness doesn't change but one's ability to work does. I wish you well. DD

cas1971

Thank you to you all for your kind words of support xx

cas1971

cas1971 wrote:

Thank you to you all for your kind words of support xx

hi

i have been granted esa but not heard from them to do with medicals or anything i sent my doctors certificate off in which my doctor ticked the box that says i could work but with adaptions etc due to the pain and medication does anyone know how long it is before you here from them to do with medicals etc.

cas x

psyart

Hi - Iris is the one who knows all about this stuff!!! i think you have to have a medical within 13weeks of going on ESA

good luck with it - remember if you dont get what you want you can appeal!!

if the doctor and hospital are behind you aswell this helps!

louise

dorcas

Hi CAroline

just popped on for a min as I'm heading out. Here's something I prepared about understanding the ESA process and the ATOS medical that I hope will help you.
When you do get your 'Health Questionnaire' let us know as there are a few tips on how to complete it.

---

Guide to understanding ESA & Atos

1. When you first apply... if you meet the initial criteria for ESA then you are awarded ESA at the 'Assessment Rate'.. this is what we are all placed on while the dwp assess our medium to long term eligibility for ESA. The assessment period is 14 weeks.

2. You then attend a 'Pathways to Work' Interview within 6weeks of being granted ESA ....and told at that interview that you will be called to attend a Medical Assessment in the near future. (some people don't have to attend a medical if they are terminally ill for example)

3. You will also be sent a Self Assessment Questionnaire to complete and send in to ATOS.

4. You attend the medical assessment at one of the ATOS medical centres. The medical assessment has to be done prior to the end of the assessment period of 14 weeks to determine whether you continue on one of the two levels of ESA ....OR are refused and told you are fit for work & to apply for jobseeker's allowance instead.

5. You then receive the decision letter from DWP.(can take 2weeks to get the decision letter)

There are 3 possible outcomes to an ATOS medical

5.1. That you do not fit the criteria for ESA (people who score less than 15 points in the medical assessment) and are 'Fit For work' and should apply for Jobseeker's Allowance or get a job.

5.2.that you have been assessed as having 'Limited Capability for Work' and will receive ESA at the 'Limited Capability 'Rate. (people who score at least 15 points in the medical assessment) The letter will tell you you have been placed in the 'Work Capability Group' and will be obliged to attend and to 'fully participate' in further 'Pathways To Work' interviews where you will have to show how you're managing your condition so as to work towards a return to the workplace. You do not have to hand in any more medical certificates.

5.3. that you have been assessed as having 'Limited Capability for Work' but it is of such significance that you cannot be reasonable expected to work in the longer term and so are placed in the 'Support Group. People who are placed in the 'Support Group'will receive ESA at the highest rate and do not have to attend any further interviews or hand in any more medical certificates.

People in the Support Group are those with a terminal illness or 'significant mental impairment or physical disability'

---

hope that helps Caroline! I'm off now...

remember to keep in touch!

Iris xxx

cas1971

dorcas wrote:

Hi CAroline

just popped on for a min as I'm heading out. Here's something I prepared about understanding the ESA process and the ATOS medical that I hope will help you.
When you do get your 'Health Questionnaire' let us know as there are a few tips on how to complete it.

---

Guide to understanding ESA & Atos

1. When you first apply... if you meet the initial criteria for ESA then you are awarded ESA at the 'Assessment Rate'.. this is what we are all placed on while the dwp assess our medium to long term eligibility for ESA. The assessment period is 14 weeks.








2. You then attend a 'Pathways to Work' Interview within 6weeks of being granted ESA ....and told at that interview that you will be called to attend a Medical Assessment in the near future. (some people don't have to attend a medical if they are terminally ill for example)

3. You will also be sent a Self Assessment Questionnaire to complete and send in to ATOS.

4. You attend the medical assessment at one of the ATOS medical centres. The medical assessment has to be done prior to the end of the assessment period of 14 weeks to determine whether you continue on one of the two levels of ESA ....OR are refused and told you are fit for work & to apply for jobseeker's allowance instead.

5. You then receive the decision letter from DWP.(can take 2weeks to get the decision letter)

There are 3 possible outcomes to an ATOS medical

5.1. That you do not fit the criteria for ESA (people who score less than 15 points in the medical assessment) and are 'Fit For work' and should apply for Jobseeker's Allowance or get a job.

5.2.that you have been assessed as having 'Limited Capability for Work' and will receive ESA at the 'Limited Capability 'Rate. (people who score at least 15 points in the medical assessment) The letter will tell you you have been placed in the 'Work Capability Group' and will be obliged to attend and to 'fully participate' in further 'Pathways To Work' interviews where you will have to show how you're managing your condition so as to work towards a return to the workplace. You do not have to hand in any more medical certificates.

5.3. that you have been assessed as having 'Limited Capability for Work' but it is of such significance that you cannot be reasonable expected to work in the longer term and so are placed in the 'Support Group. People who are placed in the 'Support Group'will receive ESA at the highest rate and do not have to attend any further interviews or hand in any more medical certificates.

People in the Support Group are those with a terminal illness or 'significant mental impairment or physical disability'

---

hope that helps Caroline! I'm off now...

remember to keep in touch!

Iris xxx

Hi Iris

many thanks for all the information i am very grateful

I will keep you updated

caroline xx