ESA medical and home visit

ankspon

What is the legal standing regarding home visits for ESA medicals.I know i will be asked for one as i'm not 6 foot under but i have had to cancel numerous doctor and hospital appointments due to being ill and not being able to get out.

cit_k

davidhwdn wrote: »

What is the legal standing regarding home visits for ESA medicals.I know i will be asked for one as i'm not 6 foot under but i have had to cancel numerous doctor and hospital appointments due to being ill and not being able to get out.

They are possible, but you have to request one, and provide supporting medical evidence from a gp or other medical professional in order to try to convince ATOS one is required.

ankspon

If i get proof of all my cancelled appointments will that do or will they say you may have cancelled for other reasons.I put on my ESA50 form i may require a home visit.

Cpt.Scarlet

You need your GP to confirm in writing that due to your condition(s) you are unable to attend a medical at ATOS.

rogerblack

To add.
If you are not granted leave for a home medical, and they insist you turn up, if you do not, then your benefit will be stopped.
You then have to prove 'good cause' - which while the decision on this is appeal-able, if you do appeal the decision that they did not accept your good cause, you will _not_ be paid during this appeal period, which may be around a year.

I would strongly advise getting there, even if you have to pay someone for the day.

jonty1970

But what about people with agoraphobia or mental health problems, who are made ill by leaving the house and going to a strange place?
Don't ATOS see that as an admission that they are "not really that ill" if they actually get into the building for the medical?

Someone I know refuses to go to the medical. She says she is too ill and up to now, they have come to her home.

rogerblack

In principle, yes, anyone who has severe problems should receive a house visit.

However, the decisions in this matter are not perfect, and if it's wrong, and your request to a home medical is turned down, and you don't turn up, you face an appeal process that if it's not decided the correct way initially you will face up to a years delay with no benefit.

ankspon

Thanks for all the advice