ESA Rant

UKTigerlily

Hi all,

I'm sorry but I have to get this out, and if anyone has anything useful to add then please do.

I recently completed my ESA questionnaire, they received it back on 15th March and a few days ago or very recently anyway, I got the letter for my medical (1st July)

I have mental health problems and am not claiming for anything physical; i'm already on ESA and have been for the past two years I think.

So, I knew that the DWP had requested info from my GP & that they had received it back, but was worried as my GP is a locum who has only seen me for my mental health once, and knows nothing about it other than whatever is on the computer records

I called the GP to ask if a copy of the report/discharge letter from the Crisis Team had been included, but they had no record of any requests from the DWP at all. The practice secretary then e-mailed the locum GP to check, although apparently their locums don't do any paperwork at all, but she said she hadn't sent anything off

The secretary then calls the DWP and they won't tell her what was sent in, or who by. She asks that my assessment be at home, not the assessment centre, but apparently 'If I can get to the Dr's then I can get to the assessment'

WHO the hell employs these people??? They don't know me; I thought the point of the assessment was to find out what I can & can't do? So why have they decided what I can do when they have no idea? The assessment centre is about 3 miles away in town and isn't anywhere i'm familiar with, i'd need a taxi and would more than likely spend the taxi fare - as i'm paid a week or so before - due to being impulsive and it's somewhere unfamiliar plus someone unfamiliar. Telling them everything will trigger me, and I have no desire to be (probably) alone and triggered somewhere I don't know

My GP is so close I can be there within two minutes and it's very familiar. If I book and it's a bad day, I cancel (sometimes in the middle of the night), and if a good day I go. If I didn't go for my regular medication blood tests and reviews and Crisis Team referrals, then they'd more than likely say i'm not compliant with medication etc so am like this due to that!!!

Yes, if it's a good day I can go. But how do I know this in advance? It'd be useful if I did, I might save some money on things I have to cancel and lose the deposit on.

Sorry, rant over!

DomRavioli

You need a letter from your GP, and get them to fax it to the people requesting an appointment if you cannot attend an assessment centre. Do this ASAP. Your ESA may stop if you leave it too long.

Victoriakelly21

I think Satan employs them. They are horrible people. I have my tribunal next Monday 30 miles away. I had my medical and they found nothing wrong with me and I gave no medical evidence to show any illnesses. Luckily I had copies of everything I sent in with notes about when I sent them in. I have osteoarthritis in both hips and one knee they all need replacing so I can't walk. Added depression to that and I'm just exhausted all the time. I'll be glad when it's all over. All I can say to you is don't give up!!!

UKTigerlily

They are beyond belief, they replied to my complaint saying the exact things I had like it was their idea!

I got told today by the Crisis Team I need a CPN, a Support Worker for some intensive help and Therapy, and that I am definitely showing signs of Bipolar and I didn't believe her, she went to call my Consultant, but this just makes it so much worse. Why can't they just come out and see me at home, with a Crisis Team person there and if they'd seen as I was today & wrote it up fairly i'd accept the decision. Today was how I need to be on the assessment day but I can't and won't fake it