Dragon's Road to Rio

Lemon_Tree

great news that you've put into the support group, what a relief.

The_Dragon

A week ago I got a letter saying that after re-consideration I was being put in the ESA support group, yesterday I got a letter saying I would not be re-assessed until July 2014, today I got a letter and ESA50 form from ATOS to be completed and sent back before the end of November or I lose my benefits. Now suicidal again and no idea what is going on.

*Robin*

The_Dragon wrote: »

A week ago I got a letter saying that after re-consideration I was being put in the ESA support group, yesterday I got a letter saying I would not be re-assessed until July 2014, today I got a letter and ESA50 form from ATOS to be completed and sent back before the end of November or I lose my benefits. Now suicidal again and no idea what is going on.

Hello Dragon, :hello:
Don't Panic!

..They've made a mistake. Are we surprised? No. Are we outraged on your behalf? Of course.

Please try not to get upset - it's ok because you've got a joker - the letter that arrived yesterday!

So: Photocopy it [yesterday's letter], write a [STRIKE]terse[/STRIKE] short, covering note pointing out that said letter proves you've already been dealt with, and send both back with all the rubbish that arrived today - don't fill in the form but copy it, and their letter, before returning the package. Do not send them the original of your joker-letter!

Also, if you haven't got one already; start a folder and keep copies of everything, with notes about 'phone calls and all contact regarding your benefits. Will say more later - Daft Dogs want a walk..

The_Dragon

*Robin* wrote: »

Hello Dragon, :hello:
Don't Panic!

..They've made a mistake. Are we surprised? No. Are we outraged on your behalf? Of course.

Please try not to get upset - it's ok because you've got a joker - the letter that arrived yesterday!

So: Photocopy it [yesterday's letter], write a [STRIKE]terse[/STRIKE] short, covering note pointing out that said letter proves you've already been dealt with, and send both back with all the rubbish that arrived today - don't fill in the form but copy it, and their letter, before returning the package. Do not send them the original of your joker-letter!

Also, if you haven't got one already; start a folder and keep copies of everything, with notes about 'phone calls and all contact regarding your benefits. Will say more later - Daft Dogs want a walk..

Dr Dragon is going to phone the DWP on Monday and we are thinking of getting a lawyer as well - I had only just relaxed, I had only just come of the pain killers as stress increases my pain and that suppresses my immune system, and now I am back to square 1 (maybe square minus if there is such a thing!)

taxi73

I think Robin offered sound advice and is correct but a phone call won't go a miss.
I think the 2 original letters you got are correct and that the ESA50 form is a red herring and will have been sent as you were probably due your new assessment shortly..but shouldn't have been sent due to you winning your reconsideration...but maybe got sent as they hadn't got the info passed back to themselves.

Eager_Elephant

I have to agree with Taxi.

If I remember right you did not attend the medical as on the day the DWP confirmed there was no need.

DWP will have rung ATOS to say that Dragon does not need to attend today - this equates to ATOS as 'ok that is fine today and then we will send her another ESA50 ready to see her in a few weeks as per the requirements'

It is all a lack of communication between DWP and ATOS.

I hope you don't suffer with your illness each time they review you - what a strain it must be.

I can't remember if you are on DLA but this is being changed to PiP and eventually everyone on DLA will go on PiP even if you have a life time award. Under PiP you will have to have medicals similar to ESA and score points (but with different criteria obviously).

Are you able to confirm your age Dragon as I wonder how long you have until you can get your pension etc so you do not need to go through this. (Also does Dr Dragon work and how old is he?)

((Dragon))

The_Dragon

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

I have to agree with Taxi.

If I remember right you did not attend the medical as on the day the DWP confirmed there was no need.

DWP will have rung ATOS to say that Dragon does not need to attend today - this equates to ATOS as 'ok that is fine today and then we will send her another ESA50 ready to see her in a few weeks as per the requirements'

It is all a lack of communication between DWP and ATOS.

I hope you don't suffer with your illness each time they review you - what a strain it must be.

I can't remember if you are on DLA but this is being changed to PiP and eventually everyone on DLA will go on PiP even if you have a life time award. Under PiP you will have to have medicals similar to ESA and score points (but with different criteria obviously).

Are you able to confirm your age Dragon as I wonder how long you have until you can get your pension etc so you do not need to go through this. (Also does Dr Dragon work and how old is he?)

((Dragon))

Hi EE,

I was never called for a medical they decided without seeing me that I could go in the WRAG, not having read my form, the re-consideration is the one that made sense as in I was put in the support group (I don't want to be disabled but I have no choice about it!), every form they send means my stress increases, this means my pain increases, pain means my depression gets worse (yesterday I threw up from stress a few times, I was on pain killers every two hours, this means my weight goes up and I get more depressed, if I take anti-depressants I get more suicidal).

I get Higher Rate Mobility DLA, I am 47 (48 in March), Dr Dragon works full-time (for a very understanding employer!) and he is 43 at the moment (yep I have a toy-boy, maybe I should change my sign on name to Cougar)

taxi73

am sure it will sort itself out tomorrow when DR Dragon phones both departments

Eager_Elephant

Oh Dragon ((hugs))

Sorry I got a bit muddled there - I am assuming that DWP have not informed ATOS you are in support group now and that is why you have been asked to complete the form.

WRAG group is a nightmare - I have clients in that group who are called every 8 - 12 weeks :eek:

Thanks for confirming your ages - my plan of pensions instead of ESA is way off then

The_Dragon

Okay Dr Dragon phoned the DWP yesterday and was told by the lady he spoke to that she thought the new ESA50 was a mistake, but he needed to speak to someone else *sigh* so she arranged for them to phone Dr Dragon back (which they did this morning) - this is the outcome :-

Dr Dragon - Just had a call from the DWP. The letter dated 25th was a mistake, generated by 'an automated system', and we are to disregard it. I have asked for something in writing to that effect, so we should get a handwritten slip in the post at some point.



Dragon: I hope you mentioned the stress their flipping "automated system" caused!



Dr Dragon: I did mention that, saying that after the 'review after 12/7/2014 letter' you had been starting to relax, and that the letter of the 25th had sent your stress levels through the roof, and that you really weren't coping well with it at all.
The lady apologised again when I said that.



Dragon: hmm maybe, just maybe it will filter through



Dr Dragon: Maybe. We're doing our bit by pointing out the mistakes, politely, so that we are listened to by the front line DWP people at least.



Dragon: and that is all we can do - at least I can now start relaxing again (I don't I will ever fully relax again after this c*ck up though)



Dr Dragon: I've done all I can. The only things that I suggest would be chasing the referral that Dr L suggested when we're at the nurse on Thursday, and asking for a supporting letter from Dr A when we're at the nurse-led clinic in November. That way we'll have more evidence for two years down the line.



So that is where we stand at the moment! - thank you for the support