Employment & Support Allowance - Who pays for medical

wilmist

I have asked the benefits agency to review my claim as I have been put in the work category after coming off incapacity benefit instead of the support group.

Does anyone know who would have to pay if I wanted my doctor to send a report as evidence to the benefits agency/appeal.

I was never sen for a benefits medical this time but need to send some sort of evidence and didn't know what else to send.

Thankyou

Muttleythefrog

Just to clarify.. if you've asked the DWP the review your claim then that probably is a reconsideration request... and as such you will not have appealed. Appeal needs to be in writing or on GL24 form. So if this stage fails then be aware you might need to appeal after if you want to pursue the matter. (It's usually advised not to ask for reconsideration as if you appeal one is done automatically anyway).

Also important to say... make sure you fit at least one support group descriptor in order to qualify for that group. Make strong argument that you meet that/those descriptors(s). Try to get supporting medical evidence. Now this is where you are enquiring... you may indeed have to pay... I'm no expert but it really does seem to depend on the doctor and surgery... some people report getting excellent written opinion from GP to aid appeal or claim and it costs nothing... others are charged for less. WHat I would say is that opinion specific to support group descriptor(s) saying they apply and why from a GP or specialist is almost certainly going to be value for money due to the impact it could have. I should also state that without supporting evidence although your chances of success are reduced they are not eliminated and some people successfully appeal ESA decision without the help of anyone involved in their medical care.

rogerblack

wilmist wrote: »

I have asked the benefits agency to review my claim as I have been put in the work category after coming off incapacity benefit instead of the support group.

Does anyone know who would have to pay if I wanted my doctor to send a report as evidence to the benefits agency/appeal.

In general, you may have to pay if you want your doctor to write a letter in support of your claim.

wilmist

thanks

It was a GL24 form I filled in but added a letter asking the benefits agency to reconsider and it is the benefits agency who have replied asking me to send in evidence.

I had let them know I wasn't able to make an appeal when I sent in my letter due to a recent bereavement and only having the 30 days but they haven't responded to that and are asking me to provide medical evidence for my appeal.

rogerblack

wilmist wrote: »

thanks

It was a GL24 form I filled in but added a letter asking the benefits agency to reconsider and it is the benefits agency who have replied asking me to send in evidence.

I had let them know I wasn't able to make an appeal when I sent in my letter due to a recent bereavement and only having the 30 days but they haven't responded to that and are asking me to provide medical evidence for my appeal.

You have 30 days to ask for a reconsideration or appeal.
However, this stops once you've actually asked for it.
If they have received your request, and are requesting further information, any limitation on time is up to them - was it specified on the letter?
Are you now in a position where you can send in further evidence?
If so, do so, or write them back giving a timescale for this.

If there is no response from you, they may make a decision, and you will then have to wait for the appeal process, which may be a long time.

They do a reconsideration first.
If you do not supply evidence, this will generally simply review the decision, and only if it's clearly wrong will it be overturned.
If it's merely arguable, it will not.
If you do not succeed at the reconsideration stage, you will be notified of that decision. If you have requested an appeal, it will then proceed.
If you have just requested the decision be reconsidered, you have 30 days to lodge the appeal.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

an appeal is months away as of yet currently 6-13 months to be heared at tribunal, so you can review your decision there if you wish.

my advicee to you is to point the DWP in the direction of wich descriptor you believe you match.

go to your GP surgery and ask for corresponding letters to your condition i.e diagnosis, care plan, treament plan, frequency of hospital visits, etc, there is a DPA you can sign and pay small admin fee for those. alternativly go to your GP with a copy of the WCA handbook, in there will be the descriptors, you can ask him to base a report around the descriptors to wich he thinks fully apply to you. you only need to match one with a max of 15 points to enter supportg group or an accumilation of descriptors to score you uptop 15 points.

yes a GP will charge you the amount he has set as his surgery to compile a report, ring them and ask.