medical assessment for people claiming incapacity benefit

lau24_2

I am currently claiming incapacity benefit and have received a letter to say that I have to go for a medical assessment. Is there anyone out there who is in the same position as me, or, has attended one of these. I would like to hear from you. I am a little worried as I am not a big fan of doctors in general and the thought of going is worrying me a bit as I have heard that the doctor that you see will be firing a list of questions at me to determine if I will continue to get my benefit.

Any advice out there?

Look forward to hearing from you

[Deleted User]

Its not for the doctor to decide,he merely makes a report to the DWP decision maker,I assume you have recently completed an IB50,if you dont score 15 points for physical or 10 points for mental problems then you fail the IB50 however if the information you provided wasnt conclusive then thats why you have been asked to attend a medical.You are allowed to take someone with you and its a good idea to do so as they can sit and take in whats said in case what you tell the doctor isnt reflected in his report.

lau24_2

Thanks for the advice, I will be taking my mum with me when I go. Have you had to attend a medical assessment yourself. If you have, can you tell me what exactly is involved. What kind of questions do they ask you?

healy

They will ask you questions related to what you have written in the IB50 and how you illness/disability relates to the descriptors used in order to qualify for Incapacity Benefit. What people are asked varies depending on why they are claiming.

beanielou

Just dont let them rile you as this can be common.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

I have had a couple of these and an appeal after they stopped it (sure the Dr had written someone elses information on my paper )...Won the appeal though
They generally have the same form as you fill in (IB50) and he goes through the paper asking you the questions and filling in your replies.

Don't worry yourself about it, just make sure you think of every last little thing -symptoms, how you are affected etc... its easy to forget things (a bit like when you go to the Dr and come out realising you have forgot to mention half the things :rotfl: )

Mojisola

Be careful when you first go into the interview. The doctor may ask you questions that seem as if he/she is just being pleasant and making conversation but the answers to these questions will be used in the assessment, eg if you answer that you've come by bus and walked from the bus stop, that will be taken as evidence of your mobility.

It's good that you have your Mum going with you. I know of several people who have had the same experience as MrsMcawber - the doctor's report has no connection to the interview you remember.

Also, the doctor has to take into account not just whether you can do a physical activity but the effect on you when you do it, eg you might be able to bend down and pick something off the floor once but if doing it repeatly would cause you to get dizzy, that should be noted down.

There will be a short physical examination as well as the questions. You will be asked to do a variety of things, eg sit on the floor and get up again, and how easily you do these will be recorded.

anndunc1

hi, i had one of these appointments with the doctor last year, they just went through the form by asking questions about walking,getin dressed and what problems you have on a daily basis. its really just lots of questions i didnt have an examination mine was to do with panic attacks/depression and how it effects my life daily it depends what your illness is - try not to worry i know its not as easy as talking to your own doctor i was in there about 20mins and it took about 3 weeks for the results to come back from them via ic dept. this year i had enough points and i didnt need to attend the medical centre

marsupial_mama

Gosh, I hope my OH does not get one of these! He only sees his regular GP and frets about it before. If there is any other doctor only available, he rather does not go. He would have a right anxiety and panick attack if he had to go through one of these!

Good luck though!

Andreja

Sailor_Sam

Hi Lau, There is a list of the things they will quiz you on, and the number of points that you need to score. Have a look at this site, it may prepare you.
http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f32.htm