Esa medicals

cagneyfan

Hi, just want some advice as to the procedure regarding the medical concerning the changeover from incapacity benefit to ESA.

What exactly happens? Do we get a form to fill in regarding the 'can you pick up a pound coin?' etc. Then do we get a medical afterwards.

Or do we fill in the form whilst at the medical?

I'm really getting panicked now as I shall be sent for one in the near future and I'm wondering if you actually get a chance to have your say - or is it just tick boxes which often don't fit into your own situation. This government has probably caused more ulcers from stress and worry. I feel like suing them.

I know a lot of people say don't worry until you have to, but it's easier said than done - expecially when people who should remain on incapacity/esa are being removed.

robpw2

cagneyfan wrote: »

Hi, just want some advice as to the procedure regarding the medical concerning the changeover from incapacity benefit to ESA.

What exactly happens? Do we get a form to fill in regarding the 'can you pick up a pound coin?' etc. Then do we get a medical afterwards.

Or do we fill in the form whilst at the medical?

I'm really getting panicked now as I shall be sent for one in the near future and I'm wondering if you actually get a chance to have your say - or is it just tick boxes which often don't fit into your own situation. This government has probably caused more ulcers from stress and worry. I feel like suing them.

I know a lot of people say don't worry until you have to, but it's easier said than done - expecially when people who should remain on incapacity/esa are being removed.

you get the form first the questions are almost as rediculous

do you have a problem lifting things ... yes/no
do you have a problem lifting an empty cardboard box .. yes/no - well actually that would all depend on the size of said box where it is when i lift it etc .. if i am sat down and there is an empty cake box i can lift that or if its on the side i can move that but if its on the floor and i am stood up you have no chance lol but it doesnt ask that it just ask do you have probs lifting an empty box lol

cagneyfan

robpw2 wrote: »

you get the form first the questions are almost as rediculous

do you have a problem lifting things ... yes/no
do you have a problem lifting an empty cardboard box .. yes/no - well actually that would all depend on the size of said box where it is when i lift it etc .. if i am sat down and there is an empty cake box i can lift that or if its on the side i can move that but if its on the floor and i am stood up you have no chance lol but it doesnt ask that it just ask do you have probs lifting an empty box lol

It beggars belief how they come up with the questions. It seems that you could answer the same question in a million different ways depending on how you feel.

I was just telling a friend yesterday that my house is like '!!!! bin alley' but I just can't face starting the nightmare of cleaning it - as I'll be unwell afterwards. I couldn't keep on top of it all as I was feeling crap and just didn't have the energy to do even light stuff. So it ends up like a hovel.

Imagine if they find you fit for some work - how can you explain to an employee that some days for one reason or another you simply have not got the energy to even get washed! I really believe there must be people out there considering suicide due to the stress.

robpw2

cagneyfan wrote: »

Imagine if they find you fit for some work - how can you explain to an employee that some days for one reason or another you simply have not got the energy to even get washed! I really believe there must be people out there considering suicide due to the stress.

i know its difficult but the best thing to do is answer the questions as best as you can and if they have any blank boxes for you to eleborate then make sure you fill it in as best as you can thought i found this really tough and am waiting for my medical, if they find me fit for work then i hopes they will offer me some support to finding said work because i have been trying this last year and between getting ignored and having some very nasty comments made i have not had much luck

krisskross

sabredon wrote: »

When I applied for ESA a while ago, I refused point blank to fill out anything on the form save my name, address and NI number.
Having heard what ATOS do at the medical and that they are supposed to be the 'experts', I thought I would let them tell me what I am able/not able to do. No point in giving them ammunition to shoot me with!

Anyhow had the medical, gave yes no answers and told the truth on every occasion. I refused to expand on any question raised by him. Refused to remove my clothes and get on the bed as I was already in severe discomfort and had no intention of making it any worse.

I had four warnings by the assessor who said he believed I was being unco-operative. I told him that I wasn't and that I was feeling awful.

A few weeks later I received a letter saying I had 0 points.
Obtained a copy of the assessment report and went through it bit by bit. Where he said that I had nothing wrong with me, I sent the DWP copies of my medical notes. Where he said that I had never had an mental illness problems, sent the DWP reports going back years.

Eventually I pulled apart the whole report backed with evidence. Then I was put in the support group.

Complained to ATOS about the quality of the assessment, pointing out that it wasn't for me to explain what is wrong with me and what I can and cannot do, that was for their assessor to identify (as any GP or Consultant would).

Weeks went by an eventually I received a letter from ATOS saying that the nurse concerned had been warned officially as to his abilities and that the report he prepared was 'not fit for purpose'. A copy was also sent to the DWP.

So the so called 'experts' couldn't find anything wrong with me, and told a pack of lies on the report. Would I trust them to care for me if I was ill??
Not bloody likely!!!

Sounds as if you needed a veterinarian rather than a doctor. How on earth do you expect to have your health and capabilities assessed accurately if you refuse to co-operate.

Actually this post sounds as if it has been written by one of MSE's many 'friends'.

sunnyone

sabredon wrote: »

When I applied for ESA a while ago, I refused point blank to fill out anything on the form save my name, address and NI number.
Having heard what ATOS do at the medical and that they are supposed to be the 'experts', I thought I would let them tell me what I am able/not able to do. No point in giving them ammunition to shoot me with!

Anyhow had the medical, gave yes no answers and told the truth on every occasion. I refused to expand on any question raised by him. Refused to remove my clothes and get on the bed as I was already in severe discomfort and had no intention of making it any worse.

I had four warnings by the assessor who said he believed I was being unco-operative. I told him that I wasn't and that I was feeling awful.

A few weeks later I received a letter saying I had 0 points.
Obtained a copy of the assessment report and went through it bit by bit. Where he said that I had nothing wrong with me, I sent the DWP copies of my medical notes. Where he said that I had never had an mental illness problems, sent the DWP reports going back years.

Eventually I pulled apart the whole report backed with evidence. Then I was put in the support group.

Complained to ATOS about the quality of the assessment, pointing out that it wasn't for me to explain what is wrong with me and what I can and cannot do, that was for their assessor to identify (as any GP or Consultant would).

Weeks went by an eventually I received a letter from ATOS saying that the nurse concerned had been warned officially as to his abilities and that the report he prepared was 'not fit for purpose'. A copy was also sent to the DWP.

So the so called 'experts' couldn't find anything wrong with me, and told a pack of lies on the report. Would I trust them to care for me if I was ill??
Not bloody likely!!!

It didnt take you long to get a new identity Andy but the record is just the same.

MrsManda

cagneyfan wrote: »

Hi, just want some advice as to the procedure regarding the medical concerning the changeover from incapacity benefit to ESA.

What exactly happens? Do we get a form to fill in regarding the 'can you pick up a pound coin?' etc. Then do we get a medical afterwards.

Or do we fill in the form whilst at the medical?

I haven't transferred from IB to ESA but I have recently renewed my ESA claim which I think is similar (someone else may be able to clarify).
I received a letter with a form to fill out and a date when the form needed to be back by (I had 6 weeks).
The questions are relatively sensible with a 'yes, no, sometimes' set of tick boxes. If you tick No, you move on to the next question, if you tick Yes or Sometimes there is a space to put more detail. If you need more space you can just write 'see extra information' and write on extra pieces of paper.

Once the form is returned it is reviewed by the decision maker who makes a decision either that they've got enough information from your form, that they need more information and write to your doctor/specialist, or they need more information and invite you to an ATOS medical.

My experience is that for my initial application the Decision Maker wrote to my GP and Neurologist then I had an ATOS medical before a decision was made.
For my renewal I filled out the form, the DM wrote to my GP and on the basis of the form I filled out and my GP's report I was awarded ESA with no change.

It may help you to read the information about the transfer between IB and ESA on the direct.gov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_188859

You can download the questionnaire if you want to look at the questions and download a guide to the work capability assessment ('medical') from direct.gov:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172012

Two4Tuesday

sabredon wrote: »

uuummmm!!! now what are you going to do about it then?

This name is the 'loss leader', you haven't cottoned on to the onbe taht has been on the go for the past 4 weeks nor the 'female' one that started last week.

As usual the whole thing is a hoax. But what do I see, 9 thanks on one post? I must have touched a few heart strings with that posting. Ahhhhh silly !!!!!!s as if, I'm not that much of a good samaritan!!
Happy hunting!

what a sad individual you are

krisskross

sabredon wrote: »

This name is the 'loss leader', you haven't cottoned on to the onbe taht has been on the go for the past 4 weeks nor the 'female' one that started last week.

I think we probably have sussed the 4 week old one. I reckon it is the one that keeps threatening to report me. If it isn't andy she does a darned good imitation.

diceydeb

Was looking for the original after reading the quotes, obviously been removed...what a saddo...get a life.

Richie-from-the-Boro

diceydeb wrote: »

Was looking for the original after reading the quotes, obviously been removed...what a saddo...get a life.

There have been many, some of s/he's more illustrious ones were :

andyandflo
gemstar30
dioch
SueP1944
skcollob
sonorman
sardine
worriedwife
parsons
hobbledehoy
cyclops
PETROLHEAD
oldestrocker
salot
trobert
tartane


and~on~and~on it goes