ESA - put into support group

Horseunderwater

Had my medical on the 24th July 2012. Saw a Dr who knew all about the incurable illness that I have and based on the medical and the problems I have with medications etc, she recommended that I go into support group and I do not have to go to work based interviews unless I want to do so on a voluntary basis. Besides which I do some work each week at the moment, but that is getting harder and it may be that I need to give that up. It is contributions based and is for 3 years exactly to date of medical. So 2015. As PIP will be well on the way in by then, I may be moved at some point in that time to this. We will see what we will see. So ATOS are not all bad. Not only that but they already paid my arrears into the bank, so I can put money aside for stuff now.
I just had to share this with people on here, just to give them hope that sometimes things go right the first time.:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

rogerblack

They do indeed.
I'd still recommend that you get a copy of the medical, for future reference.

recoverydust

that must be a blessed relief
i am sure you need and deserve it
i hope you have a full and happy three years now

peace be
xxx

Horseunderwater

Thanks peeps.
The part in the award letter about the £10 christmas bonus payment did make me laugh loads though. Seems that is one payment that has not had a cost of living rise in nearly 30 years!
What exactly do I need to ask for with the medical evidence Roger and do I write to DWP?

rogerblack

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Thanks peeps.
The part in the award letter about the £10 christmas bonus payment did make me laugh loads though. Seems that is one payment that has not had a cost of living rise in nearly 30 years!
What exactly do I need to ask for with the medical evidence Roger and do I write to DWP?

You can simply phone them, and ask for a copy of the medical report.
However, I'd request the whole lot of data they hold.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/

They routinely shred stuff they have no 'buisness case' for, though it may be useful in the future to prove stuff.

Torry_Quine

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Had my medical on the 24th July 2012. Saw a Dr who knew all about the incurable illness that I have and based on the medical and the problems I have with medications etc, she recommended that I go into support group and I do not have to go to work based interviews unless I want to do so on a voluntary basis. Besides which I do some work each week at the moment, but that is getting harder and it may be that I need to give that up. It is contributions based and is for 3 years exactly to date of medical. So 2015. As PIP will be well on the way in by then, I may be moved at some point in that time to this. We will see what we will see. So ATOS are not all bad. Not only that but they already paid my arrears into the bank, so I can put money aside for stuff now.
I just had to share this with people on here, just to give them hope that sometimes things go right the first time.:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

PIP is the replacement benefit for DLA rather than ESA.

rogerblack

Horseunderwater wrote: »

H So 2015. As PIP will be well on the way in by then, I may be moved at some point in that time to this.

It is currently not planned to move ESA(conts) people over to universal credit automatically.
As others have mentioned - PIP is the replacement for DLA.

HB58

Well done, I bet that was a huge relief! Just one word of warning -The time to reassessment is only advisory, I have heard several people say that they have received the next ESA50 much earlier than expected (even allowing for them to be sent out aprox 4 months in advance).

Horseunderwater

HB58 wrote: »

Well done, I bet that was a huge relief! Just one word of warning -The time to reassessment is only advisory, I have heard several people say that they have received the next ESA50 much earlier than expected (even allowing for them to be sent out aprox 4 months in advance).

Yes I am sure the review will begin much earlier than the 24th July 2015. And yes it is a huge huge relief. It has taken so much pressure off me. Means I no longer have to keep struggling to go to work each week, if I am having a bad week. Yes I do work (12 hours). But I find it hard to do, but I want to keep at it until I really cannot go on. Have decided not to work on Bank holidays now though. (Loo Availability problems). And if my illness gets worse and it may. Then I may have to give up in 2014 anyway.

Horseunderwater

Torry_Quine wrote: »

PIP is the replacement benefit for DLA rather than ESA.

Ah - I appreciate you clarifying a bit of misinformation I'd been given or read. So it will be my DLA in Feb 2015 that will be the main problem then.
The bit I do not get about PIP is why Mobility is being linked to mental health and that if you not "mentally ill" you cannot have HRM? Or is that also further mis quote?