ESA work capability assessment

melbury

PippaGirl wrote: »

The very first WCA I had the nurse was lovely and understanding and caring. I waited for the results naively, and then it came 0 points. I appealed and went to Tribunal and won and was put in the WRAG where fortunately I was forgotton about and not called for any work focused interviews as I wasn't really well enough to get there. Then I got called for another WCA and then a Doctor ended the appointment and said she would be recommending I be left alone for 6 months to get a bit better and I was then placed in the support group. 3 months after that decision I was sent an ESA50 form to complete and now as the 6 months has ended I am expected a letter any day with a new WCA date.

I would agree that you can't tell anything from their attitude or demeanor towards you, but remember, you can appeal and you will continue to receive ESA while you wait for the Tribunal which will be months away so no need to panic at the moment.

It is all so stressful and tiring, I am sure they just try to grind you down so that you give up.

rogerblack

andrea2312 wrote: »

Well my WCA is over ! Now for the wait

While that is certainly one option, perhaps wiser to phone up the DWP, and ask for a copy of the medical.
This way you can check the accuracy - hopefully before it's used in a decision.

diceydeb

Lots of you are saying you have been called up for several WCA . I am wondering why my OH has not even been called for his first yet.... not that we are complaining I just dont get the system when some are called in and others not.

Own_My_Own

diceydeb wrote: »

Lots of you are saying you have been called up for several WCA . I am wondering why my OH has not even been called for his first yet.... not that we are complaining I just dont get the system when some are called in and others not.

My Son waited over 8 months for his first medical. That was 3 weeks ago.

diceydeb

A relative of ours had theirs 6wks ago and is still waiting the descision. Its not fair to keep people waiting and worrying all that time.

rogerblack

diceydeb wrote: »

Lots of you are saying you have been called up for several WCA . I am wondering why my OH has not even been called for his first yet.... not that we are complaining I just dont get the system when some are called in and others not.

It is essentially entirely up to the DWP.
The DWP can almost award ESA without a medical at a whim, to anyone, on almost no evidence if they choose to do so.

They follow procedures, but these are generally not laid down in detail by statute, as to who will be assessed when, and the statutes are generally more about who they have to award benefit to, rather than who they can't.

For example, under ESA, there seems at first glance to be a requirement that a medical assessment is done every 3 years, for everyone.
But this can be, if they choose to do so, a solely paper-based exercise, with the claimant never informed that they have passed their 'medical assessment' - which was simply completed on paper.

As to the order people are called in - that's a huge other question.
Logically, they'd be calling in people they believe on a quick glance at the file to be most likely to fail first, simply for budgetary reasons.

They may just use a really big game of hungry hungry hippos to decide though.

Muttleythefrog

andrea2312 wrote: »

Well my WCA is over ! Now for the wait - Have no idea how long it will take for a reply so all I can do is sit here and panic now I guess !!!

It seemed to go really well . Had a very understanding nurse doing my assessment - and she seemed to really get what I was telling her.

Since I have come home though am picking over my answers and am wondering if maybe they are all lovely and caring and it means nothing. AARRGGHH this whole process has stressed my RIGHT out

Call the DWP on number at top of DWP ESA letters and ask for copy of the ESA85 ATOS medical report. The DWP decision may take many weeks but the report will probably give you forewarning or relief regarding the decision likely to be made.

Muttleythefrog

diceydeb wrote: »

A relative of ours had theirs 6wks ago and is still waiting the descision. Its not fair to keep people waiting and worrying all that time.

As above.. they should request copy of the medical report ESA85 from DWP... or for those assessments where face to face medical not conducted an ESA85A ATOS report.

It's not the decision but it is highly likely to be rubber stamped in due course... the document has important information including prognosis which likely will determine reassessment timing.

andrea2312

I had no idea it could take so long to get a decision . I thought I would hear in the next week . I have waited about 14 weeks on no money for the WCA in the first place so at least thought the decision would be quick .

I will indeed phone for a copy of the medical report

Feel sick now - I thought maybe having an understanding assessor may have swung it in my favour !! Damn

Thank you all

diceydeb

diceydeb wrote: »

A relative of ours had theirs 6wks ago and is still waiting the descision. Its not fair to keep people waiting and worrying all that time.

And still waiting........and worrying...its so unfair.