PIP and ESA assessments around the same time!

SueDerbyshire

Hi, unfortunately my transfer from DLA to PIP and my ESA review has come around at the same time. I am on DLA indefinite and ESA support group so my health is pretty bad, anyway, I had my PIP assessment last week with Atos and unlike my last one with them, this one went well and the HP was great with me and very respectful, even though I got very upset talking about how my life has changed due to my health. The problem I now have is that I have now received an ESA assessment appointment, I am dreading it already and I know we all have to have these and I have no problem with that but can't they use my PIP assessment findings to decide on my ESA renewal?

I am going to ring ESA but I just thought I would check to see if anyone else has managed to have just 1 assessment for both benefits. I know it's unlikely but it's very frustrating to have to go through it again, also, I doubt I'll have the PIP report back in time to hand it over as evidence before or at my assessment.

Any thoughts would be greatly received. Thank you.

Sue

paragon909

SueDerbyshire wrote: »

Hi, unfortunately my transfer from DLA to PIP and my ESA review has come around at the same time. I am on DLA indefinite and ESA support group so my health is pretty bad, anyway, I had my PIP assessment last week with Atos and unlike my last one with them, this one went well and the HP was great with me and very respectful, even though I got very upset talking about how my life has changed due to my health. The problem I now have is that I have now received an ESA assessment appointment, I am dreading it already and I know we all have to have these and I have no problem with that but can't they use my PIP assessment findings to decide on my ESA renewal?

I am going to ring ESA but I just thought I would check to see if anyone else has managed to have just 1 assessment for both benefits. I know it's unlikely but it's very frustrating to have to go through it again, also, I doubt I'll have the PIP report back in time to hand it over as evidence before or at my assessment.

Any thoughts would be greatly received. Thank you.

Sue

Well actually I had mine the other way about.

I had an ESA assessment in August 2015, And I applied for PIP in September I think. I sent my ESA assessment report and other evidence along with my PIP application. This seemed to be enough information for a paper based decision to be made.

pmlindyloo

ESA and PIP are two different benefits.

One is your capability for work (ESA) and the other is about care and mobility needs.

Although there is some overlap in both benefits, for ESA you need to meet the descriptors which are different to the descriptors for PIP

Although there is no way of knowing (and certainly one or other has been known to influence decisions) the most likely reason for being awarded a paper based decision is on the medical evidence provided to back up the form.

SueDerbyshire

pmlindyloo wrote: »

ESA and PIP are two different benefits.

One is your capability for work (ESA) and the other is about care and mobility needs.

Although there is some overlap in both benefits, for ESA you need to meet the descriptors which are different to the descriptors for PIP

Although there is no way of knowing (and certainly one or other has been known to influence decisions) the most likely reason for being awarded a paper based decision is on the medical evidence provided to back up the form.

Hi, yes, I'm aware of this and this is why I am sure it won't stop another assessment but wouldn't it make sense for them to read the PIP report first, decide if there are any unanswered questions that they need answering and ring me for those answers?

Most of you will know that these assessments are very stressful and as well as the mental side, it is very draining physically and knocks me back a few days.

I agree these assessments need to happen, even the assessor explained to me that hopefully I will not have to have anymore assessments when it comes to PIP, she could see how it affected me and that I was in no fit state to be physically examined but surely some common sense should come into play. It would also save the government time and money and therefore the tax payer, which I am one of them.

Thanks for your honest replies.

Sue

TELLIT01

paragon909 wrote: »

Well actually I had mine the other way about.

I had an ESA assessment in August 2015, And I applied for PIP in September I think. I sent my ESA assessment report and other evidence along with my PIP application. This seemed to be enough information for a paper based decision to be made.

Although the information from an ESA assessment may sometimes be sufficient for a decision on PIP entitlement to be made, the reverse is certainly not the case. ESA covers far more than the broad mobility and care factors of interest to PIP.

pmlindyloo

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Although the information from an ESA assessment may sometimes be sufficient for a decision on PIP entitlement to be made, the reverse is certainly not the case. ESA covers far more than the broad mobility and care factors of interest to PIP.

Although I absolutely agree with you I have known a case where the assessor had the PIP report with then when the claimant went to their WCA.

Shocking what is currently going on.

SueDerbyshire

Thank you for your replies. I am going to contact PIP for a copy of the assessor report and send this to ESA as new evidence and see what happens. Looking at the descriptors again and the information I have given at my PIP assessment, it shows that I will get at least 15 points on 3 of the activities but then again I don't know if the HP also saw it that way.

How long does it take for DWP to receive the Atos report? Will they release it straight away to me before the case manager has made a decision, if not, I might not get it in time. My assessment is on the 6/7 but I can change this date once.

Thank you again for any help.

Sue

daphnemoon

Hiya,

I too had this back in March (PIP) and May (ESA) when I specifically asked at the WCA why I needed another assessment. The lady I saw said that as they are different assessment criteria I needed both.

Got a PIP decision based on my paper form not even referencing the assessment and not heard back from my ESA yet.

I don't think there is a way around having two assessments.

All the best

Alice_Holt

If it's of any help:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-medicals
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/

Hope you get a sensible HCP.

SueDerbyshire

Thank you all for your help and advice, I really do appreciate it.

I've received a text to say that my case manager has now got everything they need to make an informed decision, do you think I will have to wait for the case manager to make their decision before releasing the report? I can't see them releasing it to me beforehand, can you?

I've only got until the 6th of July to receive the report so was thinking of ringing DWP and explaining to see if they can delay my appointment, do you think they will be nice enough to do that?

Thank you again for your help.

Sue

TELLIT01

All you can do is ask and give your reasons for requesting the delay.