ESA Interview/Medical Questions!

lea

Hi

I wonder if anyone has any advice they on the ESA Interview/Medical appointment or claiming it in general.

A bit of background:

My dad is coming up for 58 and over the past couple of years has been very poorly. In 2008 he was struck down with E-Coli whilst at work (although it wasn't proven that anything at work caused it) and he nearly died. He was in intensive care for some time but luckily made a recovery however his immune system was weakened and he hasn't been quite the same since.

In March this year he was struck with severe heart pains and then stomach pains. He was rushed to hospital and they eventually found he had peritonitis from a ruptured appendix that they hadn't noticed previously because his chest pains threw them off it. Again he nearly died. During this time the docs also discovered he has a heart condition which they are still investigating the extent of and how it affects him. Basically his heart goes 'haywire' when his body is under stress or poorly. He is currently undergoing investigative procedures with Papworth Hospital including an MRI and cardiac ablation. On top of this he also needs surgery for a hernia which the docs have said is too dangerous to be done before they get to the bottom of this. He hasn't been to work since he collapsed whilst at work in March (his doctor has signed him off all this time).

My dad is a plumber and has been since he left school at 16. He is still employed with the company he worked for when he fell ill. They paid him 6 months SSP, then they sent him the forms for ESA saying he needed to claim this.

He filled in the forms and has been asked to go to the local DWP office in a weeks time for an interview/medical.

I know that MSE'ers cannot comment on individual medical conditions as such, but does anyone know how ESA works when you already have a job that you're just not fit to do at the moment? He isn't well enough to be driving long distances, crawling under sinks, climbing into attics, etc but hopefully once they know the extent of his heart condition and have operated on his hernia he may be able to go back to work, even if its not full time.

Would the DWP expect him to give up his job to do something sitting down? Do they take into account other factors, such as he is not computer literate, and would really struggle to do anything (let alone getting another job!) other than the job he has done all his life - albeit too poorly to do at present)?

I have been looking on these boards and a lot of people seem to have had negative stories about this process and I'm a bit worried for them. My dad isn't a good communicator and this sort of situation is totally alien to him (he's an old fashioned sort of man who doesnt have a lot to say, especially not to strangers!) and I'm worried he'll find the whole experience really difficult.

Has anyone got any advice as to what he can expect? And is it likely he may be refused his claim?

Thanks for reading,

Lea
xx

oldestrocker

Put it simply that he will be reviewed to see if he has any ability to do any type of job. There may not be a job, one might not exist. But the activities that he will tested against will demonstrate that he could well have some sort of ability.
No one is interested in what he has done or is doing. No one is interested if he is or is not qualified to do any other job. Being disabled is no excuse not doing some type of work.

dmg24

They will assess him for all types of work, and the fact that he may not have the relevant skills to do different work will not be taken into account. Whilst he is unable to work, he could spend some time gaining IT skills, and maybe even gain some basic office qualifications? Many of these can be done from home (and even from bed), and often for free if means tested benefits are being claimed.

lea

Hi and thank you for your replies. Will it be taken into account that he is already employed, with a company that are holding his job open for him? He does want to return to work once he has had the hernia op, which the docs are refusing to do until they've fully investigated his heart problem. Would he be expected to quit this job because at the moment while he's unwell he's unable to do it? Thanks, Lea

MrsManda

As far as I understand the system he wouldn't be expected to quit his job but if he is assessed as being too ill to work at his current role but able to work generally he will be put in the Work Related Activity Group.
This will require him to speak to a Pathways to Work advisor at some point to see if they can help him get any work.