ESA assessment

Spoonhead88

Hello,

On the 30th I'm going for my ESA assessment. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I was wondering if anyone could break down what happens on the day? What kind of questions they ask?


Thanks.

simon1966

Basically the same questions asked when you filled in the form, good idea to have photocopied form so you remember what to say.
Also a brief medical touch toes, test grip walk etc. All very easy, nothing to worry about.

nannytone_2

i never had to touch my toes, grip or walk!
all they did was ask questions.

it all depends on the reason you are claiming ESA.
i don't think a mental health issue would involve these things

tomtontom

simon1966 wrote: »

Basically the same questions asked when you filled in the form, good idea to have photocopied form so you remember what to say.
Also a brief medical touch toes, test grip walk etc. All very easy, nothing to worry about.

It is always a good idea to keep a copy of the ESA50 in case the original gets lost, but I would not suggest referring to it in the assessment. You know your own condition, it would look extremely dubious if you needed to refer to your form to remember what to say!

Also someone claiming solely for a mental health condition will not be asked to touch their toes etc.

OP they'll ask you questions about what you do day to day, they may also ask some basic memory questions if you have cognitive difficulties. It's nothing to worry about.

NLW

simon1966 wrote: »

Basically the same questions asked when you filled in the form, good idea to have photocopied form so you remember what to say.
Also a brief medical touch toes, test grip walk etc. All very easy, nothing to worry about.

Why would she need a photocopy of the answers she gave? If you're telling the truth the answers would be the same.

paragon909

Spoonhead88 wrote: »

Hello,

On the 30th I'm going for my ESA assessment. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I was wondering if anyone could break down what happens on the day? What kind of questions they ask?


Thanks.

Just some things to note when your claiming for this purpose, If you go alone and unaided and are able to find your way to the centre this goes against you. Going kempt also goes against a claimant. Going to shops and using public transport also goes against a claimant who wishes to be on ESA for anxiety reasons.

Been able to have a conversation with a stranger or someone you don't know or asking for directions also goes against a claimant.

So to be on ESA for depression and anxiety you need to demonstrate that you are so serious with it, It has a real impact on your day to day life and living etc.

You will be asked questions about how you feed and clean yourself, Do you need help getting these done... Do you need help getting out of bed etc. If you don't need help this also goes against you.

Spoonhead88

paragon909 wrote: »

Just some things to note when your claiming for this purpose, If you go alone and unaided and are able to find your way to the centre this goes against you. Going kempt also goes against a claimant. Going to shops and using public transport also goes against a claimant who wishes to be on ESA for anxiety reasons.

Been able to have a conversation with a stranger or someone you don't know or asking for directions also goes against a claimant.

So to be on ESA for depression and anxiety you need to demonstrate that you are so serious with it, It has a real impact on your day to day life and living etc.

You will be asked questions about how you feed and clean yourself, Do you need help getting these done... Do you need help getting out of bed etc. If you don't need help this also goes against you.

Thanks very much for the reply, i will keep all those things in mind.

Alice_Holt

Some info on ESa assessments:
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

johnsmi

I believe that an assessment may well start as soon as you enter waiting area and engage with the receptionist, in my case I was asked to produce evidence of identity, and also asked for my NI number which I didn't know. I later saw the form on the desk of the examining Gp, and wouldn't be at all surprised if remembering your Ni number would be considered as evidence of having a very good memory.


Only saying I really don't know.


Paragon909 post is spot on for mental health reasons I feel.

schrodie

You are monitored from the moment you enter the centre and when you leave. it is not uncommon for the assessors to peep through the windows to watch how you leave the centre.

They watch how you walk from the waiting area to their room, they watch how you take any coats off, reach down for anything you may have in a bag etc. Basically you are under continual observation for the entire process. I would also request that your assessment is recored as it's not unkown for these assessors to lie through their teeth.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

NLW wrote: »

Why would she need a photocopy of the answers she gave? If you're telling the truth the answers would be the same.

These silly little posts are starting make you look a little dim. You also ASSUME allot.

like how do you know the OP is female?

You do know solicitors/lawyers/cps give photocopies of statements people made in criminal/civil cases to refresh their memory of what they said and times of that day or incident etc not because their trying to screw over the system, because the case relies on consistency of evidence.


An ESA claim pack and ESA50 Medical questionnaire is a statement it in its own right.


But by your logic, if your telling the truth you should remember verbatim abi nitio (you may need to google the term) of everything they put in a ESA claim pack and ESA50 so no need for reminding yourself of what you had put, but I don't think you've taken into account many people with depression have poor memory also so its nice to go back and remind yourself of your answers to the questions.


Oh and Benefit advisers will also advise you make copies and remind yourself of the answers you put, so does CAB, Shelter,Disibility rights organisations and so on.


I bet you've made photocopies of things that you need to remind yourself of also.