ESA reassessment question

nannytone_2

I started claiming income related ESA a year ago and i was sent an ESA50 form last weej. (I'm not concerned about this as I have a condition that cannot change, so unless the descriptors change radically, then it is more or less a formality)

I phomed ATOS yesterday, just to check that they had received my ESA50. They hadm and they said it was with a decision maker.

Does the form go to a decision maker to decide if you require a medical, or does it mean they are making the decision without a medical?

I was told that theyd be contacting me in the next 2 weeks.

I dont mind having another medical, but was just wondering what the process is.

it's like waiting for christmas lol ... though maybe not as pleasant lol

mynameistallulah

It depends on who they mean by a DM - when ATOS receives the ESA50 a HCP will review the form and decide if there is sufficient information for them to pass it to the DWP without calling you for a medical. The DWP DM will then decide whether you qualify for ESA, and which group you should be put into. Given the short time frame, I would imagine the form is actually with an ATOS HCP at present.

broad-sword_2

Confused by the term decision maker but I think it refers to ATOS for this one. An ATOS Health Care Professional will decide whether a medical examiniation is needed based on the ESA50, your condition history (eg sick notes) and whatever else you have sent in.

If they decide you qualify for WRAG or Support Group on this evidence it gets sent to DWP for them to make the decision. ESA is not a lifetime award - the maximum period to be in one of the groups is 3 years.

Other possibilty is that if your ESA50 was late, then DWP will make a decision as to whether to accept it or not. I'm assuming the former applies in your case though.

broad-sword_2

Beat me to it mynameistallulah!

nannytone_2

when I had my original medical for ESA, there was no time limit given on the letter I received to say that I was eligable.

I am registered blind, and there is no prospect of my condition improving in any way, it can only get worse.

The person I spoke to just said it was with a 'secision maker'. It was only after that I realised that i should have asked.

As I said, I'm not concerned merely wondering what she meant.
thanks for your comment.

Muttleythefrog

nannytone wrote: »

when I had my original medical for ESA, there was no time limit given on the letter I received to say that I was eligable.

I am registered blind, and there is no prospect of my condition improving in any way, it can only get worse.

The person I spoke to just said it was with a 'secision maker'. It was only after that I realised that i should have asked.

As I said, I'm not concerned merely wondering what she meant.
thanks for your comment.

Yeah... sounds like they are referring to internal circumstances rather than DWP decision maker.

Your last (original) medical report would have had a prognosis in it that the DWP probably used to determine the timing of this reassessment. It's always worth getting a copy from the DWP.. I would advise it this time... ESA85 if a face to face medical report... ESA85A if not.

Typical process as I understand it..
From ESA50 and other evidence available a HCP at ATOS will look to see if there is sufficient evidence to provide their advice to the DWP regarding WCA.. if yes then ESA85A to DWP... if not then decide if face to face medical necessary... if perhaps not they might contact GP to get ESA113 form completed which may be sufficient to provide advice via ESA85A to DWP.. otherwise face to face medical and ESA85 to DWP.

I would be tempted to contact ATOS in around a week if you haven't heard from them... as for all their failings one thing they do tend to seem to do well is keep an up to date record of the position regarding what they're doing. If they tell you they've closed their file then that would infer advice sent to DWP.

nannytone_2

I didnt send any supporting evidence .... just stated the facts as they are ( and were for the previous medical.

rgis time i didnt include my cosultants detaild. he thinks he is helping, but hes a real hinderance. he takes the fact that visually impaired people arent treated too well by the benefits system, very personally.
he told me ... 'they mess you about, so i mess them about. if they want a report, then i want $500'

what he fails to realise is that they then make the decision WITHOUT his imformation, which only makes it worse!

this time ive only put my GP and my social worker down on the form.

I fit the criteria for high rate mobility (DLA) but because my consultant is 'making a point' ive so far been unable to get it.

so many people say ' my doctor says i should get it .... they need to realise that doctors know sod all about benefits, and they should stick to giving advice about what they know!

deeplyblue

If they want to know why you don't have a report from your consultant, tell then that you can't afford it. They will think the consultant is asking you for money (which some do, I think) - you will know that you can't afford the results that your consultant's report produces! If they press you, tell them how much money he says he wants.

gbhxu

OP, can't you just get a copy of your medical notes by making a "Subject Request" using The Data Protection Act?

It should only cost you a tenner