Wierd questions at esa assessment

Charityworker

My 20 year old daughter had her assessment for esa today. She's been diagnosed with ocd and trauma and is still being assessed for Aspergers. She hasn't left the house on her own for over 2 and a half years and also finds it hard to leave the house with someone. Public transport is a definate no no and so is crowds, strangers, queues and a lot of other things on top of all that.

The assessor asked some wierd questions such as how did you get here today and how long did it take? Does the fact we got a lift there because she can't do public transport make a difference? She also asked if she is able to put the rubbish out and if she has a wash every day? She said she could put the rubbish out but it's only just outside the front door and that she washes every day. She also explained how her bedroom has to be spotless by 2pm every day and everything lined up and in its place. The assessor asked how she felt today as she's been out all day for the assessment. My daughter explained how she was anxious to get home as she's hours behind with her cleaning etc.
So how do you think it will turn out? Did she come across as being a lazy teenager?

lukieboy96

To be honest, I do not think anyone can say how she has done. It is up to the assessors.

cifpower

I wouldn't say those questions were "weird" and definitely don't warrant an angry emoticon. They seem sensible questions designed to see how she feels about doing daily chores, leaving the house for a medical assessment and how she reacts being questioned by a stranger.

TELLIT01

"Does the fact that we got a lift make a difference?". Yes is the simple answer. If it is stated on the questionnaire that she can't use public transport, but it then turns out she travelled by bus to the assessment, it would obviously put doubts around any other statement made.
All the other questions seem perfectly reasonable too. You must remember that the assessor doesn't know your daughter and has to make a decision based on the ESA50 and what they see at the assessment. The assessor doesn't just assume that everything in the ESA50 is totally accurate.

tea-bag

Because so many are swinging the lead, the are asking proper questions.

missbiggles1

I thought your daughter ran a kennels/animal care business with you?

tea-bag

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I thought your daughter ran a kennels/animal care business with you?

Yeah but ESA pays the bills.

Charityworker

Thanks for all your replies. There wasn't any need for some of you to be so rude! Yes she does run a pet sitting business with me but that doesn't mean she's left the house. I do all the talking, advertising etc and she does the actual animal care in the garden with me. Please don't jump to conclusions. Me and my husband both work full time and don't claim a penny of other benefits even though we're probably entitled to them.

tomtontom

Charityworker wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. There wasn't any need for some of you to be so rude! Yes she does run a pet sitting business with me but that doesn't mean she's left the house. I do all the talking, advertising etc and she does the actual animal care in the garden with me. Please don't jump to conclusions. Me and my husband both work full time and don't claim a penny of other benefits even though we're probably entitled to them.

Is she aware this needs to be declared as permitted work?

Charityworker

Yes she has and provided them with the full accounts. Thanks.

billywilly

Charityworker wrote: »

My 20 year old daughter finds it hard to leave the house with someone. Public transport is a definate no no, strangers.......we got a lift there because she can't do public transport..... she's been out all day for the assessment. My daughter explained how she was anxious to get home as she's hours behind with her cleaning etc.

She manages to work in the garden, but finds it hard to leave the house?
She doesn't do public transport - she accepts lifts in someone else's car?

She gave the impression of leaving a sedentary lifestyle - yet spends all day out of the house at the assessment and wants to get home to do her cleaning?

I know exactly how PTSD affects someone following trauma and to be honest you haven't described one aspect of it in your post.

I was assessed by the DWP as being 80% disabled due to mental health problems caused by trauma. 20 years later that has been reduced to 40% for the rest of my life.
I received DLA, Middle rate care due to the mental health problems for 19 years up until last year. I was also put into the Support Group of ESA for 2, three year terms for the same mental health condition.

In all of that, like your daughter I was still able to work. The choice of working was taken away from me when I was placed in a secure mental health hospital.