E.s.a

stephen09

Good morning everyone.:)

I have been receiving esa benefit for the last few months(through depression and anxiety),andhave been called up for my medical
on the 7th of August.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice they can give to me,that
would be great.Should I take a letter about my illnesses to the
medical or wait until the tribunal?

Thanks.

Stephen.

Dunroamin

Why are you assuming your case will have to go to tribunal?

smiler651

The best cure for depression and anxiety is keeping busy.

I don't believe doctors should be issuing medical certificates for this, as it encourages people to stay at home doing nothing. People mull over things, getting more and more depressed.

If people keep busy they wont have time to be depressed, and they might actually start to enjoy their lives

epitome

Probably because most do.

lemontree

smiler651 wrote: »

The best cure for depression and anxiety is keeping busy.

I don't believe doctors should be issuing medical certificates for this, as it encourages people to stay at home doing nothing. People mull over things, getting more and more depressed.

If people keep busy they wont have time to be depressed, and they might actually start to enjoy their lives

When did you qualify as an "Expert" on treating deppression?

stephen09

Dunroamin wrote: »

Why are you assuming your case will have to go to tribunal?

Well last year I had to attend a tribunal,and didn't have a letter from my G.P which they asked for so I was 2 points short of being awarded the benefit.But,I was wondering If I hand the medical letter to the nurse(at the medical) it may speed things up,and perhaps i'll avoid the tribunal.

Muttleythefrog

smiler651 wrote: »

The best cure for depression and anxiety is keeping busy.

I don't believe doctors should be issuing medical certificates for this, as it encourages people to stay at home doing nothing. People mull over things, getting more and more depressed.

If people keep busy they wont have time to be depressed, and they might actually start to enjoy their lives

Totally inappropriate here... and I question whether it's appropriate anywhere. It certainly isn't universally true.

Stephen. My advice would always be to complete the ESA50 form (which would normally be sent to you prior to any arrangement of a medical) as fully as possible and send with it as much supporting medical evidence as possible. It's not clear what you've done in this regard.

You can hand evidence to the HCP at the medical and hopefully they'd consider it if it is appropriate evidence and get a copy taken and attach it to the paperwork. But strong advice is focus on the descriptors... focus on those that you feel apply and target your evidence that supports your claim these descriptors apply or at least gives corroborative information surrounding them. Regarding GP letter therefore it depends what it says. After your medical (perhaps a couple of working days later) ask the DWP for a copy of the resulting medical report... it may be many more weeks after that before a decision is taken at DWP but it quite likely will effectively be a rubber stamping of that report which you can quickly get hold of a copy of.

But yes.. regarding evidence... get it in as soon as possible.. it would be madness to have supportive medical evidence (if that's what you have) and prevent it from being seen by ATOS HC and the DWP DM.

HB58

You might find this thread helpful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4088731

smiler651

Sorry but if someone's asking for advice it is appropriate to give your view as it's an open forum

Cpt.Scarlet

smiler651 wrote: »

Sorry but if someone's asking for advice it is appropriate to give your view as it's an open forum

You are perfectly correct, just as it is others right to say your talking c**p

PippaGirl_2

Hi Stephen, my own experience is that little notice is taken of evidence from a GP mainly because GP's tend to write what they hear from you are your symptoms and experiences so in a way it is your words. It would be better to obtain evidence from those supporting you though the mental illness, be that the mental health team, MIND, or support workers. They will be better able to know how you are from day to day and how you are affected by your mental illness so my advice would be to get evidence from your other supporters as well as your GP.

Apart from that, no advice really just go and be honest and hopefully all will be well.