esa assesment in 4 days? help! advice needed!

NYM

AbbeyW90 wrote: »

Sorry to be posting on your thread but I recieved a text message from the dwp yesterday (Saturday) saying "we have an update/need info about your ESA claim please call us today due to a notified change to your address" I am really worried about this text I have not moved and I recieved it on a weekend so could it be a mistake as there offices are closed does anyone know?

Ring them on Monday.

selfless1

hi thanks all to the responses.And apologies to Philanthro! other people have suggested not to go to the assessment!!could you read this advice ( else offered below) and suggest an opinion? running out of time. On one hand i am trying to go through descriptors info (which im struggling with, perhaps you can help) which is driving me mad and on the other I'm inclined to attempt to get the appointment cancelled which seems the
best case scenario. could you offer advice on this? it seems these are the options:

1 Refuse to go full stop on Tuesday and demand another appointment

2 Go to assessment with a documented letter stating that this is completely unfair without an esa50 filled in and is evidence and grounds to appeal (if the assessment goes against us)

3 Go to assessment with a Downloaded and Rushed filled in Esa 50 form and demand it is handed in with other evidence at the assessment?

Anything else you may suggest??

NeilCr

Sorry

He's had his assessment date changed once. I think he will be skating on thin ice if he doesn't attend this one without really good cause. I certainly wouldn't demand anything. And, given you've indicated that he can attend in options 2 and 3 then I am not sure what a good reason would be

I still believe he should go and see what happens. Things are, like last time, now at the last minute and anything extra you try and do now is going to be rushed. You could take up the offer of help from The Philantropist but I'm not entirely sure of the logistics and the last thing you want is an issue with an ESA50 that is submitted on the day

If, for any reason, he doesn't get ESA (and remember he has had it for 15 years) there is an appeal process and you will have more time to formulate a Mandatory Reconsideration and, if necessary, an appeal after that

Tommo1980

OP: In my opinion if he can't manage the ESA process on his own he needs to find someone who has a more realistic and professional outlook on making benefit claims to assist him.

I have seen no evidence in your posts that you are competent to do this (nor PHILANTHROPIST for that matter). On the face of it you seem to be undermining the claimants chances of getting the correct award.

selfless1

thank you Neil. reason I'm invested in this is if he fails, its going to be me that has the burden of support, and ive my own stuff at present. anyway before i ask you a question can i send you what i sent philant? and maybe you can offer me the best approach. please check your pm?

selfless1

for Tommy and others who are of an opinion. i was given other advice from another forums to not go. see below :- can you give you opinionsplease? thanks

START POST

"1....other than to say you should not try to secretly record the interview (intervew will be terminated if you are discovered), and there should be no penalty for attending an assessment centre, I haven't much advice. Although the assessment is being recorded, the "Advocate" should also be taking notes, and be proactive in supporting the claimant. eg if the assessor asks vague questions (for example "how do you cope on a daily basis) he needs to point this out. The advocate needs to be aware of the claimants problems and how they affect his ability to function in different circumstances. It would be better to have someone who knows the claimant and can be firm with assessor.

2 You should also get him to phone (or email?) Maximus/DWP asking why he wasn't sent the ESA50 form.

3 I would contact them first thing Monday morning and insist the assessment is postponed and an ESA 50 form sent, and sufficient time given to complete it.If they don't allow that There are then grounds to appeal.
Obviously this is very stressful,specially for those who are vulnerable.
You might find this link useful: http://dpac.uk.net/2015/07/response-...-on-claimants/
"
END POST

It seems these are the options:

1 Refuse to go full stop on Tuesday and request another appointment due to the fact that no esa50 would be unfair

2 Go to the assessment with a documented letter stating that this is completely unfair without an esa50 filled in and is evidence and grounds to appeal (if the assessment goes against us)

3 Go to assessment with a Downloaded and Rushed filled in Esa 50 form and demand it is handed in with other evidence at the assessment?

anything else you may suggest??

NeilCr

selfless1 wrote: »

for Tommy and others who are of an opinion. i was given other advice from another forums to not go. see below :- can you give you opinionsplease? thanks

START POST

"1....other than to say you should not try to secretly record the interview (intervew will be terminated if you are discovered), and there should be no penalty for attending an assessment centre, I haven't much advice. Although the assessment is being recorded, the "Advocate" should also be taking notes, and be proactive in supporting the claimant. eg if the assessor asks vague questions (for example "how do you cope on a daily basis) he needs to point this out. The advocate needs to be aware of the claimants problems and how they affect his ability to function in different circumstances. It would be better to have someone who knows the claimant and can be firm with assessor.

2 You should also get him to phone (or email?) Maximus/DWP asking why he wasn't sent the ESA50 form.

3 I would contact them first thing Monday morning and insist the assessment is postponed and an ESA 50 form sent, and sufficient time given to complete it.If they don't allow that There are then grounds to appeal.
Obviously this is very stressful,specially for those who are vulnerable.
You might find this link useful: http://dpac.uk.net/2015/07/response-...-on-claimants/
"
END POST

It seems these are the options:

1 Refuse to go full stop on Tuesday and request another appointment due to the fact that no esa50 would be unfair

2 Go to the assessment with a documented letter stating that this is completely unfair without an esa50 filled in and is evidence and grounds to appeal (if the assessment goes against us)

3 Go to assessment with a Downloaded and Rushed filled in Esa 50 form and demand it is handed in with other evidence at the assessment?

anything else you may suggest??

I think it's worth saying that, from what I can see, those replying to you on the other forum were not aware of the full facts. For example, your friend has already had one deferment.

Bogalot

selfless, do you have a support worker? If so, please call them and tell them you about your situation. I don't care whether it is you or a friend that is being assessed, but it's quite clear that you need far more support than a forum can offer.

Please do not share personal information with forum members that invite you to contact them privately. Philanthropist's claimed legal expertise has often been shown to be flawed, and whilst his intentions may be good, they are not suitably qualified to support you through this.

NeilCr

Bogalot wrote: »

selfless, do you have a support worker? If so, please call them and tell them you about your situation. I don't care whether it is you or a friend that is being assessed, but it's quite clear that you need far more support than a forum can offer.

Please do not share personal information with forum members that invite you to contact them privately. Philanthropist's claimed legal expertise has often been shown to be flawed, and whilst his intentions may be good, they are not suitably qualified to support you through this.

I'd agree with this.

I have no knowledge of The Philanthropist but in my experience if you are getting help with form completion it's much, much better face to face. I did suggest in one of your earlier threads contacting CAB for support with form filling and, possibly, other areas of concern.

PHILANTHROPIST

Note understandable concerns re my intentions and skillset.

Been out all day, so apologies for late response.

Regardless, I think you (or your friend) should attend, BUT with an ESA50 downloaded and filled out. Given the huge caveat that I know very little about the claimant's mental impairment, I'd still be happy to help out with inputting the optimal wording to score points on relevant descriptors. Happy to do that in forum, or wherever. It's a far from perfect scenario, but we are where we are.

Agree with Neil that a claimant can always appeal etc if unsuccessful... but that is NOT desirable and will create endless stress and worry. Involving CAB at the last minute is in all likelihood also a non-starter.

Let us know.