ESA face to face assessment: What to expect?

Feyfangirl

Hi All

So had my letter finally come through for my ESA assessment, I have Aspergers, Anxiety, depression, dyspraxia, IBS and asthma and CFS, though am truly terrified for my assessment, as I have heard from my family these things are really bad, but was wondering if I hear from anyone else on here how bad these assessments are just so I can prepare myself? thanks in advance

paragon909

Feyfangirl wrote: »

Hi All

So had my letter finally come through for my ESA assessment, I have Aspergers, Anxiety, depression, dyspraxia, IBS and asthma and CFS, though am truly terrified for my assessment, as I have heard from my family these things are really bad, but was wondering if I hear from anyone else on here how bad these assessments are just so I can prepare myself? thanks in advance

Well I will say that the health professionals who assess people who quite clued up and can spot someone acting to try and get the best result that they want.

They will be courteous to you and will accommodate to your problems, They will show you where to sit then will just start asking your questions regarding your health, They will sometimes refer back to the ESA50 and sometimes may ask you questions that are in the ESA50, I guess they do this to make sure answers match.

That what my assessment was like anyway...

TELLIT01

The vast majority of assessors are not trying to catch you out. They are trying to get an accurate assessment of how your condition(s) affect you on a day to day basis. Remember ESA assessments are there to determine what you can do, not what you can't do.

constantworrier

My Assessor said that I coped very well, when in fact I was shaking, crying, stuttering because of nerves. She said quite a few things that weren't true, so don't think they are acting on your behalf if they appear friendly because their one aim is to get you off ESA.
The decision maker also lied, he said he rang me and had a conversation with me, which was completely untrue. My phone wasn't even switched on for the whole week. When I told them it wasn't true they still insisted that they had spoken to me. I am going to appeal and have asked them to provide the recording for the tribunal. Lets see how they get out of that lie.

allison445

Don't google it don't read the horror stories.
The assessment I received was conducted in a courteous and professional manner.

nannytone_2

my WCA was a completely positive experience.
no trick questions and the HCP was really thorough in finding out how my condition affected me

seven-day-weekend

Don't worry about it and don't listen to horror stories. Just go in there and tell it as it is.

As you have Aspergers, you may not be able to make sense of 'open' questions (please forgive me if I am wrong, but this trait is very common. I know this from personal experience as both my son an his partner have problems in this area.) - if you can't, just ask them to say it differently and explain that you can't always interpret/answer this sort of question because of your Aspergers. Hope this helps.

Murphybear

I had an ESA assessment in 2011. No problems at all. My assessor was a nurse, she was really nice. No trick questions and she was really helpful. Because I had recently had a total knee replacement she didn't go anywhere near my knee so there was very little physical exam. I went into detail about all my issues and she typed word for word on the computer. When I checked with the printout the DWP sent me it was very accurate. I got awarded WRAG immediately.

Don't listen to all the horror stories, they are not all like that.

Strummer22

Feyfangirl wrote: »

Hi All

So had my letter finally come through for my ESA assessment, I have... ...asthma and CFS,

I have no direct experience, but my wife has researched whether ESA is fit for purpose. My advice would be, especially with regards to the asthma and CFS, to remember that when they ask if you can do something, it really means: 'can you do this repeatedly, reliably and safely, without significant negative impact on your health?'

It might help you to mentally insert that after each question when you consider your answers. If it's relevant, you might even want to say it aloud for each question. The reason I say this is that many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be able to walk 200m once, but then not again for a long time; or they may be able to do it several times in an hour, with rests in between - but then not be able to get out of bed the next day as they've over-exerted themselves.

So while the answer to 'Can you walk 200m?' might be 'Yes, if I have to', the answer you could give your assessor is 'No, not repeatedly, reliably or safely, or without significant negative impact on my health' (assuming that's true of course. If you have no trouble walking, say so!).

Alice_Holt

This info may be helpful:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-medicals
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits/esa/work-capability-assessment.aspx

Stu N makes a good point about if you can do the activity reliably, repeatedly, and in reasonable time.
Make the assesser fully aware of the difficulties you have with the ESa activities.

Be aware that you can appeal the decision, if it is not correct. Your local CAB can help.

System

I can't say i ever had a bad medical, i had 3 during my time on esa and each time was put in the support group with no appeals or anything. My advice would be expect to be asked a lot of questions (can be found online if i recall correctly), they're trying to get a picture of how your illness affects you day to day, so can you watch tv and follow a programme? can you cook? do you have pets to look after? how did you get to the medical etc.

I understand it can feel daunting (that brown envelope always sent me into a mental meltdown, still does, awaiting news of PIP and have been in the midst of a depressive episode for the last month ), but the way i see it the medical is a chance to let them see personally how your illness affects you and you the chance to give anything more that would support your claim.

They do get it wrong sometimes, and thats where appeals and tribunals come into play, but for now try not to think of that and focus on getting through the medical. If you have a friend or family member who knows you and your illness quite well, take them with you. One for some moral support and two, if you struggle or you miss things they can provide additional info.