ESA triumph

andrea2312

Hi all

Just wanted to let you know that today I qualified after months of waiting for ESA . I have been put in to the WRAG which in book is wonderful.

The reason I am letting you know is because in the build up to this I have read everything possible on the whole ATOS/ESA system and it scared me half to death . I have been so stressed over the whole thing and have made my illness a hundred times worse in the process . Admittedly I have waited 4 months on no money to get anywhere but my ATOS WCA was dealt with kindness ,understanding and total respect and I dont feel I could have been dealt with any better .

So I suppose what I wanted to say to anyone going through the same process is to hang on in there and try not to stress yourself as much as I did..

Muttleythefrog

Pleased to hear it. For your future use I would strongly recommend you request a copy of the ATOS report from the DWP... if you had a face to face medical that'll be an ESA85.. otherwise there should be a much shorter ESA85A report. The report is likely to contain prognosis which will probably be used to determine reassessment timing in addition to stating the descriptors that were found to apply and therefore why you qualified for WRAG.

flight747

Beware you might be called again for re-assessement as most WRAG is limit to 3/6 months before re-assessment by ATOS again.

rogerblack

flight747 wrote: »

Beware you might be called again for re-assessement as most WRAG is limit to 3/6 months before re-assessment by ATOS again.

No, it is not.
'Prognosis' may vary up to 3 years, though even after this period, the person may not actually have an in person medical.
An example would be someone with a lifelong history of untreatable epilepsy leading to a fit every few hours. (With some warning)
They will not get into the support group , but may assigned to the wrag effectively for life. (Or till the rules change)
Speaking personally, my most recent 'prognosis' was 3 years, and I'm in the work related group.
(Making appeal for support)

flight747

then why is DWP told me i will be on WRAG for 3-6 months ? for income rated ESA WRAG but jobcentre told me it didnt mean it will end your ESA in 3 or 6 months but will reviewing it in 3 or 6 months time but if you are placed under work programme under ESA WRAG then DWP will carry on paid you until u are ready for work even in 1, 2 or 3 years after work programme as the programme is up to 3 years.

So, who is right ? DWP or Jobcentre ?

I still going to work programme 4 times a week (20 hours) and they told me I can stay on work programme for up to 3 years to get fully support of my right support help me get back into work soon.

rogerblack

flight747 wrote: »

then why is DWP told me i will be on WRAG for 3-6 months ?

Because you have been given a 3 or 6 month 'prognosis' date - a time to review your claim - by the examining medical professional, or this has been done on paper.
Claims differ.

flight747

Do u mean I will be re-assessment by ATOS again in 3-6 months ? Even I am at the work programme up to 3 years ?

rogerblack

flight747 wrote: »

Do u mean I will be re-assessment by ATOS again in 3-6 months ? Even I am at the work programme up to 3 years ?

Being in the work program does not mean you are treated as incapable of work - so, yes.

Cpt.Scarlet

The Work Programme has no relevance to when you will be re-assessed, so if the DWP have said you will be re-assessed in 3-6 months then you should expect this to happen, the next time it may be longer before an assessment, or still the same.

flight747

The whole process of ESA assessment is realy stupid and unfair and a waste of time really. I hate ATOS. They should provide deaf peoples bit longer as it took deaf person more longer to be training than normal hearing person. I think 3-6 months is rather unfair and wrongful. Should be 3 years! I am going to phone DWP and appeal for support group instead.

What the point of having ESA then ?

Muttleythefrog

flight747 wrote: »

The whole process of ESA assessment is realy stupid and unfair and a waste of time really. I hate ATOS. They should provide deaf peoples bit longer as it took deaf person more longer to be training than normal hearing person. I think 3-6 months is rather unfair and wrongful. Should be 3 years! I am going to phone DWP and appeal for support group instead.

What the point of having ESA then ?

Without researching (for your case details).. be aware you normally only would get a month to appeal the decision... anything later would require good cause to be shown for the appeal being late.

Make sure if you do appeal that you understand how you will qualify for Support group... you need to meet at least one descriptor. Try to get supporting medical evidence if you can. If you appeal you could fail the WCA... i.e. be found fit for work by appeal tribunal.. so there is risk.

You seem to be getting reassessed right at the lower end of the spectrum of potential periods and that is unfortunate... but that could change in future... a future reassessment for example could give a prognosis of 12 months and you might get left alone for a year.

But as you already seem to know... Support group does offer advantage of not having to attend work related activity like WP.