ESA been increased

bagqueen

I had to have 6 meetings with an advisor, you just have to attend. She wanted me to do a CV, etc, but i told her that at the mo i really had no intention of looking for work and really don't know when i will. I have a progressive muscle wasting disorder so rather than get better i will only get worse. She said just come to appointments and sign the forms.

Mupette

bagqueen wrote: »

I had to have 6 meetings with an advisor, you just have to attend. She wanted me to do a CV, etc, but i told her that at the mo i really had no intention of looking for work and really don't know when i will. I have a progressive muscle wasting disorder so rather than get better i will only get worse. She said just come to appointments and sign the forms.

Thats not sounding right, if your in this support group, they tend to just leave us there for a period of time, I've been in this grp for a good 10 months now (i think)

I remember when i first started ESA last year, i was invited to a back to work interview, not held by esa but a third party, i explained my mobility issues, who then told me they would review me in 3 months and not to worry, and not heard anything back.

I was lead to believe there was an end date to how long you stay in the support grp, (told by esa memeber of staff) but they also say on my files on their system there is no end date, would be interesting to get some clarification on this.

Been lied to a few times by esa staff so never know what truth i get from them.

bagqueen

Sorry, your quite right. I'm in the work related group.

lyniced

so how long are u in the support group for?

idvi

Mupette wrote: »

Thats not sounding right, if your in this support group, they tend to just leave us there for a period of time, I've been in this grp for a good 10 months now (i think)

I remember when i first started ESA last year, i was invited to a back to work interview, not held by esa but a third party, i explained my mobility issues, who then told me they would review me in 3 months and not to worry, and not heard anything back.

I was lead to believe there was an end date to how long you stay in the support grp, (told by esa memeber of staff) but they also say on my files on their system there is no end date, would be interesting to get some clarification on this.

Been lied to a few times by esa staff so never know what truth i get from them.

it sounds like the op is in the work related activity group, thats what i had to do (the 6 appointments) before i was later re-assessed and put in support group.

to clear up a few things.. there are no 'end dates' set.. what happens is the assessing doctor at your esa medical makes a recommendation with the decision maker about when you might need re-assessing based on your own circumstances.

they could make a recommendation for 6 months/12 months/18 months etc.

the esa handbook for atos staff, page 113:

3.10.1.1 Advice that a return to work is unlikely within 2 years

If in your opinion the medical condition, level of function and the claimant’s ability
to adapt is unlikely to change significantly in the next 2 years but there is still a
possibility of some change with time or further therapy then you should suggest a
2 year prognosis. For example, a claimant with Rheumatoid Arthritis with a
significant degree of functional problems, where you would not expect any
improvement of note within 2 years, BUT where surgery or other treatment in the
medium term may change the clinical picture.


3.10.1.2 Advice that a return to work is unlikely In the Longer Term

Where at assessment you find a substantial degree of functional impairment
resulting from a serious medical problem which is chronic or will inevitably
deteriorate further, even with optimal treatment, you should select "in the longer term". For example it may be appropriate to apply “in the longer term” to
someone with a progressive neurological condition.
Or, in the case of a young adult with a very significant degree of learning
disability, who scores where cognitive impairment in a number of functional areas
mean that he requires a high level of support, you may feel that all management
and support strategies have been exhausted and further adaptation is unlikely to
occur. You would then reasonably advise a “ in the longer term” prognosis

lyniced

No, I'm in the support group

idvi

lyniced wrote: »

No, I'm in the support group

soz, i got confused. i meant bagqueen was in the work related activity group

lyniced

Can anyone explain why only £171 has been credited into my account and not £193.70 (sorry amount is £96.85 a week not £95.60 - should have worn my glasses!).

Mupette

idvi wrote: »

it sounds like the op is in the work related activity group, thats what i had to do (the 6 appointments) before i was later re-assessed and put in support group.

to clear up a few things.. there are no 'end dates' set.. what happens is the assessing doctor at your esa medical makes a recommendation with the decision maker about when you might need re-assessing based on your own circumstances.

they could make a recommendation for 6 months/12 months/18 months etc.

the esa handbook for atos staff, page 113:

Thanks another thing i have never been seen by any atos staff

lyniced

I'm still confused by the ESA payment system. Can someone please explain to me how it works and what I should expect. I've been on £64.30 a week for the first 14 weeks, now it has been increased to £96.85 a week. A payment of £171 was paid into my bank account today ( a bit short, as it should have been £193.70). I have been put into the support group.