12weeks on ESA....no medical appt yet?

Jummy

Is there a set time when the ESA medical should take place?
My sister has had no date come through yet after 12 weeks.
I'm expecting her to need one as we had no supporting evidence to send in as she has only recently got a diagnosis for her illness.

mikey_bach

Some areas have huge back logs so may be a while.
Gather as much evidence together ready, can you get a letter from the doctor to support the diagnosis.
any info to support will help
But any extra benefit that may be due after the medical will be backdated to week thirteen, if she passes

Muttleythefrog

For a new claim the assessment phase is meant to last 13 weeks... the idea being that assessment is conducted at around the end of this period but notable delays can exist. It is extremely likely that the the assessment will begin effectively with her being sent an ESA50 form to complete and return to her local ATOS HC medical assessment centre with any evidence she has... when ATOS HC receive that they'll decide if a face to face medical is required... from what you say it is probably more likely than not at initial assessment with no supporting evidence that she will be asked to attend a face to face medical.

3 things she can do...
1. Look at the descriptors (criteria in the form of disability statements) for ESA and decide which ones she thinks apply to her.
2. There is a pdf version of the ESA50 form online (http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@money/documents/digitalasset/dg_195544.pdf ) which you can take a copy of to computer and get a head start. The form would still need to be printed and signed and manually sent in post in due course but it could offer a head start (and potentially save duplicated efforts at future reassessments!)
3. Try to get supporting medical evidence regarding her problems or better still regarding relevant details for the descriptors in question. She should also always try to get copy of letters/reports being created and sent by healthcare pros involved in her situation... you never know when they could prove useful.

Jummy

So does she not get any money from week 14 then?

rogerblack

You carry on being paid until at least the date of the medical.

schrodie

What would happen if you were appealing the decision to be being placed in the WRAG instead of the Support Group? Would be continue to be paid the WRAG rate of ESA until the appeal decision or would you go back down to the ESA assessment rate?

Muttleythefrog

Jummy wrote: »

So does she not get any money from week 14 then?

She'll continue to get assessment rate. If she passes the WCA...i.e. is found to qualify for the main phase of ESA then she'll additionally get a Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) payment or Support Group payment. That extra money will also be backdated to beginning week 14.

Muttleythefrog

schrodie wrote: »

What would happen if you were appealing the decision to be being placed in the WRAG instead of the Support Group? Would be continue to be paid the WRAG rate of ESA until the appeal decision or would you go back down to the ESA assessment rate?

Continue to be paid WRAG rate and no requirement for sicknotes I understand.

tint2000

Iv been on ESA for a year at the end of august and just had my very first atos medical last thurday 9/08/2012 iv been getting basic rate for nearly a year £71 per week is this normal??? im hoping to be in the support group as i attend a brain rehab clinic 3 days per week via hospital transport and have mobility problems also fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, depression my life has changed since the motorbike accident. any views would be good

thanks

Muttleythefrog

tint2000 wrote: »

Iv been on ESA for a year at the end of august and just had my very first atos medical last thurday 9/08/2012 iv been getting basic rate for nearly a year £71 per week is this normal??? im hoping to be in the support group as i attend a brain rehab clinic 3 days per week via hospital transport and have mobility problems also fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, depression my life has changed since the motorbike accident. any views would be good

thanks

That's towards the very upper end of the DWP delays I would suspect... it took almost a year for my initial WCA but that was back in 2009/10 when the benefit was relatively new. They will backdate any monies owed if you pass the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

I would advise that since you've now had your medical you get hold of a copy of the resulting medical report... you can request a copy by phone from the DWP... it's an ESA85 ATOS medical report. This report will quite likely be effectively 'rubber stamped' by the DWP who are ultimately responsible for taking the decision on whether you passed the WCA. If the report recommends Support Group then all is good.. otherwise probably return for advice regarding what you can do if it recommends WRAG or that you fail the WCA. It may be some weeks before a decision is taken by the DWP.

tint2000

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

That's towards the very upper end of the DWP delays I would suspect... it took almost a year for my initial WCA but that was back in 2009/10 when the benefit was relatively new. They will backdate any monies owed if you pass the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

I would advise that since you've now had your medical you get hold of a copy of the resulting medical report... you can request a copy by phone from the DWP... it's an ESA85 ATOS medical report. This report will quite likely be effectively 'rubber stamped' by the DWP who are ultimately responsible for taking the decision on whether you passed the WCA. If the report recommends Support Group then all is good.. otherwise probably return for advice regarding what you can do if it recommends WRAG or that you fail the WCA. It may be some weeks before a decision is taken by the DWP.

ok thank you for your advice i will phone the dwp on monday and ask for the atos report to be sent to me, the hospital staff at my rehab suggest i appeal or go to tribunal if i get put in the WRAG group and they will support me all the way. I knew there was a backlog but but missing out on that component for nearly a year to help with my living costs is abit of a joke. Oh well if they make the right decision maybe ill get a back pay. thanks again ill be back to update you when i recieve the dreaded letter.