UPDATED 14th Oct - Is this a typical ESA assessment ?

densol_2

I went last week and it's been on my mind ever since.

I had just got my psychiatric report which said cannot work now, cannot ever do previous job, with psychotherapy will try for small part time job in few months when mental health improves. Prognosis very guarded - opinion of doctor my condition was very severe. I took this along to the meeting.

Meeting lasted maybe 12-15 minutes.

I had a panic attack for first 5 minutes whilst she read new medical stuff.

She asked me about three questions

Then sat and held my hand saying how sorry she was for my illness loss ( loss of 32 year career )

We spoke for maybe 2 more minutes whilst I tried to calm down and my driver came to get me - then it was over ?

My PIP thing last over an hour - this was complete opposite - anyone have any input on this ?

UPDATED - just found out I've been put in the support group so I'm really pleased

TELLIT01

Assessment meetings will never be longer than they need to be. My assumption is that the psychiatric report along with what the assessor saw in person was enough for them to make their decision.

rogerblack

densol wrote: »

I had a panic attack for first 5 minutes whilst she read new medical stuff.

She asked me about three questions

In general, if the HCP believes you are likely entitled to the support group, then they will leave to consult with a superior and see if their decision is accepted, before terminating the interview.
(This was at least the procedure a year ago, it may have changed).
I would recommend requesting a copy tomorrow from the DWP.
It is possible, despite the assessors behavior that they have not recommended you for the support group.

Write down notes of what occurred at the assessment.

If you are placed in the support group, I would strongly recommend getting a copy of your full file.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/personal-information-charter

This can be useful as you then have a record of what information they used to make the decision. They may later choose to shred some or all of this if they consider it of no relevance. Having a copy of prior assessment reports can be useful.

densol_2

Thanks both - I dont really mind what group Im in ( shouls I ? ) as Im on contribution based and it will end for sure in April after a year ? I do really want to get a part time small job if I can - so thinking work group may be better ?

rogerblack

densol wrote: »

Thanks both - I dont really mind what group Im in ( shouls I ? ) as Im on contribution based and it will end for sure in April after a year ? I do really want to get a part time small job if I can - so thinking work group may be better ?

YES!
If you are placed in the support group, your ESA(C) will not end after one year.
(you may seperately be entitled to income based ESA after that time)

You absolutely can do 'permitted work' in the support group.
In the work-related group, you may need to comply with instructions from people who are unclear on what your illness is and what it does to you.
Their efforts to require you to do things may not always be productive, and can in some cases lead to sanctions if you fail to do a thing.

densol_2

Oh right ! Oh I best keep fingers crossed then and I'll Defo ask for the report. I'll never get income based anything but I didn't realise contribution based didn't stop in support group. Although - when I was trading 2014/2015- I didn't earn enough to pay NI ( as I made a loss ) so I'm wondering if the support group payments would stop anyway.

rogerblack

densol wrote: »

Oh right ! Oh I best keep fingers crossed then and I'll Defo ask for the report. I'll never get income based anything but I didn't realise contribution based didn't stop in support group. Although - when I was trading 2014/2015- I didn't earn enough to pay NI ( as I made a loss ) so I'm wondering if the support group payments would stop anyway.

The tax year 14/15 will be taken into account for new claims starting 7th(?) January 2016.
It will never count now.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Ive seen this "be sincerely sympothetic and helpful" approach by HCP (health care professionals) in the past and seen 0 points being awarded later on.


Happened to me, I ended up discrediting Atos at tribunal and making the DWP look red faced because I pointed out the obvious and facts to them PRE tribunal in my GL24 appeal form that I set out in my tribunal bundle, yet at MR (Mandatory Reconsideration) they had seemed to had completely ignored all the facts and evidence produced at that point and even ignored them in the tribunal bundle pre tribunal date. I won that tribunal. and every one ive been to there after.


From what you describe, that the HCP identified something that gave reason to "abort" the rest of the assessment, this type of scenario only happens when the HCP identifies big point descriptors are blatantly present, usually they seek a superiors opinion, but sometimes its the superior carrying out the assessment so no need to seek "permission-sorry-clarification to award the ESA at either Support group or WRAG (work related activity group, and ive seen in one case 4 points given to one claimant and a aborted due to customer non-compliance for the reason to end a assessment early for what ever the real reason the HCP needed to end it for is only known to them.

bloolagoon

You should really complain now if you think they didn't complete an assessment not wait for the result. If you feel she/he did something wrong then lodge a formal complaint now.

densol_2

Thanks again. Atrix - I had the same with a PIP assessment - felt like I was being attempted to be " caught out "

This seemed different though and she genuinely seemed almost upset for me when she read my report. I would be loath to complain ( I was injured by work and Im always conscious if my actions could injure others ) ive worked since 16 ... 32 years. I said to her I wasnt lazy just too ill to work and she said I must never think myself lazy.

Ive just found the parking receipt. It shows in at 12.46 and out at 1.28 and that includes, finding a space, parking, a 10 minute walk either side, checking in, waiting to be seen and the assessment ! So if necessary - I do have evidence of how short the thing was.

Im nervous now - I didnt realise how important the support group was.

bloolagoon

densol wrote: »

Thanks again. Atrix - I had the same with a PIP assessment - felt like I was being attempted to be " caught out "

This seemed different though and she genuinely seemed almost upset for me when she read my report. I would be loath to complain ( I was injured by work and Im always conscious if my actions could injure others ) ive worked since 16 ... 32 years. I said to her I wasnt lazy just too ill to work and she said I must never think myself lazy.

Ive just found the parking receipt. It shows in at 12.46 and out at 1.28 and that includes, finding a space, parking, a 10 minute walk either side, checking in, waiting to be seen and the assessment ! So if necessary - I do have evidence of how short the thing was.

Im nervous now - I didnt realise how important the support group was.

To be fair - and I'm purely going on what you have said here - your doctors evidence you submitted stated you are likely to try do part time work soon. It could well boil down to how they interpreted this along with points allocated.