ESA questions

tinks63
tinks63 Member Posts: 7
edited 5. Dec 2011, 12:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi can anyone help, I recieved letter from DWP last week re contacting me by phone does anyone have experience/advice over what they ask when they ring you

Thanks

Comments

  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi tinks

    Have you recently submitted a DLA form?

    If so there might be a question they want clarification on,
    e.g. how long does it take you to shower etc. or similar.

    Otherwise, not sure.

    Kath
  • tinks63
    tinks63 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    No I have not recently submitted form I am being moved from IB to ESA and waiting for a 'Phone call' from JC+ sorry for the confusion
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,822
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry Tinks (hello by the way :smile: )

    I have no experience of this but l would say take your time before answering any questions they DO ask, don't let them make you say you can 'do' things which HURT you.

    and if they want to 'see' you make sure it's somewhere you can get to easily. E.G. not four buses away etc.

    Will let someone else come on and give you better advice

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Tinks.... nice to meet you. :grin:

    I've posted you a link to DWP which gives information about the process of changing (being assessed) from Incapacity Benefit to ESA....

    http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/ib-reassessing-claims/ib-reassessment-process/

    It looks like following the phone call you'll be sent out an Assessment Form... as others have said, please be careful how you fill it out as it forms the basis for the next step.... the ATOS medical.

    Let us know if we can help ... I've saved some notes on ESA & the ATOS medical which I'm happy to share with you....

    iris xx
  • tinks63
    tinks63 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks dorcas and frogmorton its nice to hear from you :grin: you have made me feel a lot better I dont feel on my own now :lol:
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tinks,

    I don't know much about it but I do know you have to be careful. You got some good advice from Iris for sure and well just wanted to wish you luck and though I don;t know anything of use I really hope it goes well for you. Nice to meet you. Cris x
  • oldies
    oldies Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I'm new on here,i am expecting a letter from dss for an assesment,i am on incapacity benefit at the moment,if anyone can give me any advice as to what happens or how to do the forms i would be most thankful.The stress these things put you under doesnt help your illness. :sad:
  • janjankay
    janjankay Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had my phone call a few weeks ago it is just to ask security questions and explain what is going to happen. jan
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,822
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oldies have you had achance too look at the link Iris posted (dorcas) in her earlier reply?

    Love

    toni xx
  • oldies
    oldies Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni
    No i will take a look,i know its ATOS that handle the medical,some of them arent doctors that do these test ;-(
  • alison64
    alison64 Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My hubby just had call off Jobcentre to say hes been assesed by ATOS as fit for some work!!! He has grade 4 OA in both knees and on the knee replacement list for gods sake. He was assesed by a NURSE who kept saying "i know how you feel"!!! She really didnt and doesnt and the appeal letter will be winging its way very shortly!!!! Angry isnt the word :???:
  • oldies
    oldies Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Alison64
    I am still waiting for a letter from them,reading a lot of the figures they seem to be putting everyone in the work group not the support group.I read that a lot of the "QUALIFIED" assesors are nurses,midwives etc,how on earth can they give a fair judgement on a lot of the problems coused by arthritis and other illnesses.i am dreading the forms and the assesment,the stress of it all just makes your health suffer even more that we do now.Hope things go well for you x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, Wecome to the Forum.

    My last ATOS medical was carried out by a 'trained Healthcare Professonal' I didn't realise at the time or I would have refused the examination, or at least asked more about the guy's background, experience and training. Needless to say, I only got 6points for walking. I'm going to tribunal even though I don't expect to win (although I did before), but just to try and convice them that I'm not able to work.

    Sorry I do hope I haven't put you off. I think I read somewhere that telephone calls are not so good and not to do it, but I may have got that wrong. Good luck.
    Love Sue
  • oldies
    oldies Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Good luck with the tribunal.Its crazy they have no idea how it affects peoples day to day living.