ESA medium term prognosis - review dates

caravaggio

Anyone with experience of reassessment of ESA?

I've been given a prognosis of 'medium term' following a ESA medical at ATOS. I believe the length of time is 'within 18 months'

They placed me in the WRAG and I was wondering if anyone knows through their own personal experiences whether 18 months actually means 18 months or does the DWP simply ignore the Doctor's prognosis and reassess whenever they decide

Do they follow the prognosis set out by the ATOS Doctor?

Many thanks and appreciate replies from those who have experienced this type of thing

Cheers

C

rogerblack

The DWP does not always closely follow the prognosis given.
In addition, there are delays in the process, so even if DWP decides you should be assessed on the 18th month, the assessment may be a fair bit later.

sja75

Interesting...

On my Decision Notice from the Tribunal, it stated something like "the Tribunal recommends that the department does not reassess within 24 months".

It that the prognosis period?

nannytone_2

yes it is. though ive been assessed twice and my prognosis wasnt put on either decidion notice.
i had to phone to find out if i had been re awarded ESA and to find out my prognosis as the letter i received was completely unclear as to what it was trying to say!

sja75

Thanks Nannytone. They didn't make it easy for you did they I am sorry to note.

But why would they omit a prognosis period from your Decision Notice?

nannytone_2

ive mo idea.
when i initially claimed ESA, and had attended my medical, i received a letter saying i had been awarded ESA in the WRAG ( as i expected) but with no other details.
a year later i received an ESA50, so i assume my initial prognosis was 12 months, though i hadnt bothered to find out,
after i posted the secobbd ESA50, i phoned ATOS to make sure theyd received it, and was told that yes they had and that it was with the decision maker . that confused me as decision makers work for DWP and not ATOS.
i then got a letter that said 'about your change in circumstances ... from april 2012 we will pay you xxx'
bearing in mind that this was JULY2012.
i phoned and was told id been reawarded without the need for a medical. nowhere on the letter did it even hint at this!
the man on the phone also told me i had a 2 year prognosis. but if i hadnt phoned, id still ve none the wiser

Muttleythefrog

sja75 wrote: »

Interesting...

On my Decision Notice from the Tribunal, it stated something like "the Tribunal recommends that the department does not reassess within 24 months".

It that the prognosis period?

Yes... but the DWP can ignore it if they like.. it isn't legally binding.

Muttleythefrog

nannytone wrote: »

yes it is. though ive been assessed twice and my prognosis wasnt put on either decidion notice.
i had to phone to find out if i had been re awarded ESA and to find out my prognosis as the letter i received was completely unclear as to what it was trying to say!

If you request copy of ESA85A.. the ATOS report... then that likely will have prognosis the DWP will use.

Like you... I received reassessment decision masquerading as the annual change in amounts.. apparently. I quizzed them as to why I'd received no decision letter and they said it was sent.. it is dated x... and my response was... that is not a decision letter in any shape or form.

nannytone_2

i know it seems lazy, and i know i should request a copy of the report, but never have.

possibly i have to much faith in the system and so far it hasnt ket me down.
but my condition cannot improve, and there can be no doubt wiyj trhsatds to the state of my condition, as it can be accurately measure.
ive never even sent any evidence with the ESA%).
just told them what condition i suffer from and and told them the up to date results of eye tests.
i assume they contact my GP to confirm what ive told them

Muttleythefrog

nannytone wrote: »

i know it seems lazy, and i know i should request a copy of the report, but never have.

possibly i have to much faith in the system and so far it hasnt ket me down.
but my condition cannot improve, and there can be no doubt wiyj trhsatds to the state of my condition, as it can be accurately measure.
ive never even sent any evidence with the ESA%).
just told them what condition i suffer from and and told them the up to date results of eye tests.
i assume they contact my GP to confirm what ive told them

I would always advise against complacency... even just on MSE there've been significant numebrs who've been on ESA and then come here for advice at the shock of being found fit for work. The first obvious question to ask them is 'how did you previously qualify' and the answer is often 'I don't know'.

If they contact GP then ESA113 will exist too... but you're likely to only find out if it is referred to in the ESA85A. Fortunately you do have condition that is likely to produce fairly obvious disabilities and limited subjectivity...perhaps sufficient for decent chance you'll not meet with unexpected outcomes at reassessments especially if up to date test results are available.

nannytone_2

i attend the hospital every 6 months, so i always have up to date information to pass on.
i do realise how lucky ( seems strange to say that about being blind lol)i am to have a 100% measureable condition, with no grey areas and a proven prognosis ( impossibility of recovering)