ESA Medical

mooker9

I have been on long term incapacity benefit since 2005 but have been sent for a medical, went there and the woman seemed pleasant enough, I was asked to sit on a bed. I proceeded to walk up the step using my walking aid and sat on the bed and she asked me how far I could bend down, and I showed her that it wasn't much at all. I am now scared about all the rumours I've heard about the assessers basically lying on their forms, I was just wondering how many people are failed on this "assessment" from this "Doctor"?

Also would the outcome affect the DLA I receive?, as I heavily rely on the car that I have at the minute.

Any advice would be much appreciated

sniggings

you don't say who the doctor is but I have heard that atos fail 70% but 50% of those failed win on appeal and if you appeal with some support from someone that knows the process then your chance of winning on appeal shoots up to 70/80%.

Failing ESA does not mean failing DLA, as one is to show fittness for work and the other to show the need for help because of disability, to support you in day today life, even in work.

Muttleythefrog

Op... request a copy of the ESA85 ATOS medical report from the DWP.. use number at top of DWP ESA letters. That report quite likely will be rubber stamped by the DWP (who are ultimately responsible for taking the decision) in due course. Return here if you don't understand the report... but it should pretty much tell you everything you need to know about how the medical went and what decision will likely be and why.

The medical report could impact your DLA. Although DLA and the WCA of ESA are different animals, people have reported having their entitlement to DLA looked at following (unsuccessful) WCA medicals.

Statistics.. try not to concern yourself with those too much. Basically around half of new ESA claimants are found to be eligible for ESA after the WCA.. that takes into account successful appeals... but the success rate of people transferring from IB is logically much higher as these people have a track record of suffering disablement relating to workplace.

mooker9

Hi, it was an ATOS assessment

sniggings

mooker9 wrote: »

Hi, it was an ATOS assessment

Atos do most of these assessments, and have hundreds of doctors.

Do you think you might have failed the test?

If so your best bet is to make an appointment to speak with a CAB (citizens advice bureau) advicer, they will talk you through the appeals process, as you only have one month for the appeal, and you need to make sure it's done correctly, which gives you a much greater chance of passing.

No need to worry as some people pass and say the experience was not as bad as they were lead to believe.

mooker9

I am not so much worried that I think I may have failed, I've just heard terrible things about this points system they use and they don't take personal problems into account, like the help I need

Muttleythefrog

mooker9 wrote: »

I am not so much worried that I think I may have failed, I've just heard terrible things about this points system they use and they don't take personal problems into account, like the help I need

That's why I strongly suggest getting that medical report ASAP.. it'll either put your mind at some rest or be a document you'll need anyway in a probable appeal...something you'll buy yourself some time to prepare to make.

It sounds like you might be unfamiliar with the WCA. Basically there are two groups for ESA.. WRAG and Support... to qualify for WRAG you have to score 15 points or more total from the groups of WRAG descriptors . To qualify for support group... the 'more disabled group' you have to have only one of the Support group descriptors apply. There are in addition some exceptional circumstance cirteria that can qualify you for one of the two groups. When you get the report back it'll state the descriptors the doctor/nurse felt applied to you.

WRAG descriptors - http://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/wca
Support gp descriptors - http://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/lcwra

mooker9

I will ask for it. Thanks for the advice. It really is much appreciated