Incapacity to esa when on dla

Saversue

Brassedoff wrote: »

Quite a few people pass themselves at a high score but end up with zero. It's how the assessor believes you fit the descriptors on the day. Just concentrate on filling the forms out as well as you can

Thanks for your reply Brassedoff.
Yes -that's what I meant when I said I look forward seeing the score they give me - expect it will be zero - for now just going to complete forms and try to stay as positive as I can.

schrodie

Saversue wrote: »

Well I've just taken that little test, tried very hard to be objective and..... scored over 100 points :eek: really look forward to seeing how few they actually give me.

You case will be strengthened for the SG if you have hospital letters or GP reports etc. which back up what you have written in your ESA50. If you do have to go for a WCA I strongly advise you to request that your WCA is recorded.

Saversue

schrodie wrote: »

You case will be strengthened for the SG if you have hospital letters or GP reports etc. which back up what you have written in your ESA50. If you do have to go for a WCA I strongly advise you to request that your WCA is recorded.

They are going to get about 100 pages of hospital letters, reports and two very lengthy medical-legal documents - hope they have plenty of time to read them all.

I understood from OP that it was very difficult to get your WCA recorded, due to lack of recorders and them not being present when requested.

schrodie

Saversue wrote: »

They are going to get about 100 pages of hospital letters, reports and two very lengthy medical-legal documents - hope they have plenty of time to read them all.

I understood from OP that it was very difficult to get your WCA recorded, due to lack of recorders and them not being present when requested.

Hoban said this to a question regarding requesting ones WCA be recorded.

"While Atos will do all that they can to accommodate requests for audio recording, there may be times when this service cannot be offered, for example, where it has not been possible to get access to recording equipment on the date/time of the WCA. In these circumstances, claimants will be told in advance that their request cannot be accommodated. Currently, appointments may be deferred for up to four weeks for any circumstance, including the non-availability of recording equipment."

Admittedly Atos aren't too keen on people having their WCA recorded but you should still persist as much as you can.

Saversue

I have now received my forms, with a prepaid envelope to return.
No where near ready to send them in yet but no way will everything fit in an A3 envelope, that's just a joke.
Can I fix it to one of a suitable size and just pay for it to be signed for (recorded delivery) or will I need to pay for it by size and weight?
Would ring Atos up, but no phone number provided.

TOBRUK

Hi Saversue, I don't think you need to phone 'ATOS' just phone the jobcentre and ask them because they are the ones that deal with people on ESA, surely they could advise you on what to do.

I do remember asking them something regarding some form (not ESA) and they gave me an envelope and told me they would send it back through internal mail.

At least they should/could advise you as ESA is part of DWP!

Oh, and take a deep breath Sue, you have 4 weeks to get the form back to them from the date on the letter.

Try not to worry.:)

Brassedoff

Saversue wrote: »

I have now received my forms, with a prepaid envelope to return.
No where near ready to send them in yet but no way will everything fit in an A3 envelope, that's just a joke.
Can I fix it to one of a suitable size and just pay for it to be signed for (recorded delivery) or will I need to pay for it by size and weight?
Would ring Atos up, but no phone number provided.

Send a copy of everything in, if possible cross reference it on the EAS50 with each letter.

As for the envelope, get a lager on, Sellotape the original envelope to the front.

As for sending it signed for, you can, if you don't want to, hand it over at a post office and ask for proof of posting, that will give you a dae, sender and addressee. If they thrn claim not to have it, you can pull that one out.

Saversue

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I did exactly the same as you, writing a little bit each day, but I actually became suicidal during the process and couldn't complete the form. I sent it back half filled several weeks late and told them I was suicidal and under the crisis team. I've no idea whether they contacted them for conformation but a week later I received a letter to say I'd been put in WRAG. I should perhaps be in Support group but didn't have strength to appeal and to be honest I was grateful to be accepted without attending medical at the time.

PS the letter said I would be expected to be reviewed in 18mths so when I received another form 6mths later I panicked and phoned JCP and they said it had been sent in error and to ignore it. I'm actually due a review any time now which I'm not looking forward to

I am sorry to hear you are having such a tough time and hope you find the strength to go through with your review.
It can be desperately hard for people especially if you don't have anyone to supp rt you.
Is there anyone that can help you complete the forms like a local Mental Health Advocate/Social Services/CAB/CPN/Support Worker?
I do realise non of these options may be available due to cutbacks and meeting the criteria but it could be worth checking them out if you are able.
I have always found the support and advice of OP on this thread really helpful.

zzzLazyDaisy

Apologies if this has been mentioned, but if you use the online form please check you have the right one as it was updated in January this year.

Saversue

Brassedoff wrote: »

Send a copy of everything in, if possible cross reference it on the EAS50 with each letter.

Thanks for the reply. Lots of useful advice as usual.

I have now been working on these forms for 3 weeks and can think of little else.
I am currently going dizzy trying to cross reference everything and am collating it into bundles, each one indexed and the addition noted in the relevant question with reference number on the form and highlighted.
Just so there is no way they can say something of relevance wasn't included.
Will also photocopy ever thing sent and keep a complete copy for myself.

As for the envelope, get a lager on, Sellotape the original envelope to the front.

Yes that's what I was thinking of doing, but wasn't sure if it was OK -will double check with PO when sending and pay any additional postage if necessary

As for sending it signed for, you can, if you don't want to, hand it over at a post office and ask for proof of posting, that will give you a DEA, sender and addressee. If they thrn claim not to have it, you can pull that one out.[/QUOTE

Will send proof of postage or recoded - usually send any important documents recorded for my own peace of mind.