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ESA drama!
geriann
Posts: 165 Forumite
**I apologise in advance for the lost post**
I had my ESA medical assessment on the 27th of June.
6 weeks later B]at 2pm?-2:10pm on[/B] [B]August 8th[/B I got a phone call from a woman saying I’d got zero points, so would be taken of ESA!
I was shocked because I’ve been on disability benefits since 2006. I was even more shocked because my conditions are the same as when I had my previous medical assessment in July 2015. In that assessment I got 15 points, so the so-called Doctor that did this assessment clearly lied about my problems!
I was half expecting I’d get put into ESA WRAG & then have to fight to get put back into the Support Group. Which is what happened in 2015. However to be told that this time I got zero points & I’d be kicked off ESA was terrifying!
Understandable my Depression & anxiety [part of the reason I claim ESA] kicked in during the August 8th phone call. Cue alot of crying & a panic attack.
Due to everything I told that woman over the phone [& my emotionally unstable response to the news] the woman said she had the power to grant me 3 more months of ESA! I’m guessing that's means I’ll get ESA until the 8th of November? She said I’d still be on the Support Group pay rate during those 3 months.
She didn't say the exact words, but she seemed to imply if I didn't get accepted for ESA because I don't see anyone apart from my GP. Although I wasn't seeing any other medical people when I had my July 2015 medical, but that didn't harm my ESA points then!
I told her I had seen an Eating Disorder Therapist years ago, which finished because the NHS only funded for a limited amount of sessions. I also told her I saw a Psychiatrist & Care Coordinator years ago; however I chose to stop seeing them. I only saw the Psychiatrist for a medication change & the Care Coordinator [& Psychiatrist] made me feel worse each session! Hence why I quit seeing them & I’ve never asked for any other mental health help since.
The woman told me to seek help from the mental health team during the 3 months she was letting me have ESA, so I would get better & go on JSA, or qualify for ESA. As if I’d suddenly be any better in 3 months!
I mentioned I used to see my GP every 4 weeks, but since the 1st of June 2015 my GP surgery changed the appointments system. Before that date I could book a GP appointment [via phone or internet] whenever I needed to. However since that date I have to phone my GP surgery & tell the receptionist why I need to speak to or see a GP/nurse. You’re then put on a “call-back list” & have to wait minutes or hours [depending how busy they are] for a nurse or GP to phone you. When that GP/nurse phones you they decide if you need to see them/someone in person or if they can deal with it over the phone. Some things can definitely be done in a phone call, such as prescriptions or advice. However sometimes you need to see a GP/nurse so they can see your condition. However my GP surgery seems determined not to see me in person unless I’m half dead! Therefore I don’t get to see a GP regularly even though when you’re on psychiatric medications you’re meant to.
I got my frustration across about this stupid system by mentioning the mouthful of huge ulcers I’ve had repeatedly for at least 3-4 years. In that time I’ve only seen a GP in person about 3 times!
I was shocked when the woman said she’d phone my GP surgery & get me an appointment!
The woman phoned me back B]2:35-2:40pm[/B to say she’d spoke to my GP & I’d be getting a phone call from him.
In the mean time the woman was worried about finishing the phone call with me because of the state I was in. I was still crying lots because of the anxiety & Depression of her phone call. She was worried I’d either self-harm or kill myself if she ended the call. She even asked if I wanted her to phone me an ambulance!
I said as soon as she hung up I’d phone my boyfriend to get him round, so I wouldn’t be alone. I only said that so I could get off the phone.
The woman also mentioned I should apply for PIP. I’ve never tried to get PIP because I tried to get DLA twice [in 2007 & 2009] & was refused because I wasn’t ill enough. I heard that getting accepted for PIP is harder than it was to get DLA, so I’ve always assumed I wouldn’t get PIP anyway. Not to mention the thought of more forms & medical assessments is scary! Besides if I’m struggling to stay on ESA what hope have I got with PIP?
Less that 30 minutes after the woman phoned my GP B]2:43-2:47pm[/B he phoned me. I don’t know what she had/hadn’t said because my GP didn’t seem to have any knowledge of why I needed an appointment; just that she’d phoned him.
I briefly told my GP about the devastating phone call & that she insisted I ask for mental health help. He booked me an appointment for 3:30pm. I was surprised it was so soon!
To be honest I don’t want to see any mental health professional, I just want to be left alone, but it seems I have little choice according to that woman.
The appointment was with a Nurse Practitioner. [I’m guessing that’s because the GP’s were fully booked for the rest of the day] As I expected I spent that appointment crying & panicking about my benefits situation. The Nurse was very nice & understanding. She asked me lots of questions about my mental health & said she’d refer me to the Community Mental Health Team. She said they’ll get in touch with me about what services might help me & in the meantime I can speak to or see her anytime I needed to talk.
At some point I knew I’d need a medical professional to “prove” I do need to be in the Support Group of ESA, so I asked if she’d be willing to help me whenever that time came. She said yes.
Finally I began to calm down.
On the 12th of August I got a letter from ESA [dated August 8th] saying I’d been put in the Support Group.
It was just the generic letter they send everyone when they’re reassessed. There was no mention of the phone call or the 3 month thing! Why?
I’m very confused. Did that woman mean in 3 months [8th November?] I’ll have to be reassessed by the ESA50 &/or medical assessment again?
I thought I’d have to start an “appeal” as soon as I got the “verdict letter”, but now I don’t think I do. I’m guessing I don't "appeal" now because she's kept me in the ESA Support Group? In other words I can't do anything until I’m reassessed? If my 3 months of ESA Support Group runs out on November 8th, when will I get the ESA50 form? &/or the medical assessment appointment letter? Surely I’ll get them at least a few weeks before my ESA Support Group is due to run out? So mid-October at the latest?
I don’t know if I’ll have to go through the ESA50 &/or medical assessment again, but I must have to do at least 1 of those to be reassessed?
Does anyone know who the woman on the phone was? & if giving me an extra 3 months ESA is common?
I’m assuming there will be a recording of the phone call? I’m sure she mentioned the phone call will be taken into consideration when I’m next assessed.
Do you know of an email address I can contact about this matter? I know I’ll probably have to phone ESA at some point, but due to my mental health I prefer email or postal addresses.
I had my ESA medical assessment on the 27th of June.
6 weeks later B]at 2pm?-2:10pm on[/B] [B]August 8th[/B I got a phone call from a woman saying I’d got zero points, so would be taken of ESA!
I was shocked because I’ve been on disability benefits since 2006. I was even more shocked because my conditions are the same as when I had my previous medical assessment in July 2015. In that assessment I got 15 points, so the so-called Doctor that did this assessment clearly lied about my problems!
I was half expecting I’d get put into ESA WRAG & then have to fight to get put back into the Support Group. Which is what happened in 2015. However to be told that this time I got zero points & I’d be kicked off ESA was terrifying!
Understandable my Depression & anxiety [part of the reason I claim ESA] kicked in during the August 8th phone call. Cue alot of crying & a panic attack.
Due to everything I told that woman over the phone [& my emotionally unstable response to the news] the woman said she had the power to grant me 3 more months of ESA! I’m guessing that's means I’ll get ESA until the 8th of November? She said I’d still be on the Support Group pay rate during those 3 months.
She didn't say the exact words, but she seemed to imply if I didn't get accepted for ESA because I don't see anyone apart from my GP. Although I wasn't seeing any other medical people when I had my July 2015 medical, but that didn't harm my ESA points then!
I told her I had seen an Eating Disorder Therapist years ago, which finished because the NHS only funded for a limited amount of sessions. I also told her I saw a Psychiatrist & Care Coordinator years ago; however I chose to stop seeing them. I only saw the Psychiatrist for a medication change & the Care Coordinator [& Psychiatrist] made me feel worse each session! Hence why I quit seeing them & I’ve never asked for any other mental health help since.
The woman told me to seek help from the mental health team during the 3 months she was letting me have ESA, so I would get better & go on JSA, or qualify for ESA. As if I’d suddenly be any better in 3 months!
I mentioned I used to see my GP every 4 weeks, but since the 1st of June 2015 my GP surgery changed the appointments system. Before that date I could book a GP appointment [via phone or internet] whenever I needed to. However since that date I have to phone my GP surgery & tell the receptionist why I need to speak to or see a GP/nurse. You’re then put on a “call-back list” & have to wait minutes or hours [depending how busy they are] for a nurse or GP to phone you. When that GP/nurse phones you they decide if you need to see them/someone in person or if they can deal with it over the phone. Some things can definitely be done in a phone call, such as prescriptions or advice. However sometimes you need to see a GP/nurse so they can see your condition. However my GP surgery seems determined not to see me in person unless I’m half dead! Therefore I don’t get to see a GP regularly even though when you’re on psychiatric medications you’re meant to.
I got my frustration across about this stupid system by mentioning the mouthful of huge ulcers I’ve had repeatedly for at least 3-4 years. In that time I’ve only seen a GP in person about 3 times!
I was shocked when the woman said she’d phone my GP surgery & get me an appointment!
The woman phoned me back B]2:35-2:40pm[/B to say she’d spoke to my GP & I’d be getting a phone call from him.
In the mean time the woman was worried about finishing the phone call with me because of the state I was in. I was still crying lots because of the anxiety & Depression of her phone call. She was worried I’d either self-harm or kill myself if she ended the call. She even asked if I wanted her to phone me an ambulance!
I said as soon as she hung up I’d phone my boyfriend to get him round, so I wouldn’t be alone. I only said that so I could get off the phone.
The woman also mentioned I should apply for PIP. I’ve never tried to get PIP because I tried to get DLA twice [in 2007 & 2009] & was refused because I wasn’t ill enough. I heard that getting accepted for PIP is harder than it was to get DLA, so I’ve always assumed I wouldn’t get PIP anyway. Not to mention the thought of more forms & medical assessments is scary! Besides if I’m struggling to stay on ESA what hope have I got with PIP?
Less that 30 minutes after the woman phoned my GP B]2:43-2:47pm[/B he phoned me. I don’t know what she had/hadn’t said because my GP didn’t seem to have any knowledge of why I needed an appointment; just that she’d phoned him.
I briefly told my GP about the devastating phone call & that she insisted I ask for mental health help. He booked me an appointment for 3:30pm. I was surprised it was so soon!
To be honest I don’t want to see any mental health professional, I just want to be left alone, but it seems I have little choice according to that woman.
The appointment was with a Nurse Practitioner. [I’m guessing that’s because the GP’s were fully booked for the rest of the day] As I expected I spent that appointment crying & panicking about my benefits situation. The Nurse was very nice & understanding. She asked me lots of questions about my mental health & said she’d refer me to the Community Mental Health Team. She said they’ll get in touch with me about what services might help me & in the meantime I can speak to or see her anytime I needed to talk.
At some point I knew I’d need a medical professional to “prove” I do need to be in the Support Group of ESA, so I asked if she’d be willing to help me whenever that time came. She said yes.
Finally I began to calm down.
On the 12th of August I got a letter from ESA [dated August 8th] saying I’d been put in the Support Group.
It was just the generic letter they send everyone when they’re reassessed. There was no mention of the phone call or the 3 month thing! Why?
I’m very confused. Did that woman mean in 3 months [8th November?] I’ll have to be reassessed by the ESA50 &/or medical assessment again?
I thought I’d have to start an “appeal” as soon as I got the “verdict letter”, but now I don’t think I do. I’m guessing I don't "appeal" now because she's kept me in the ESA Support Group? In other words I can't do anything until I’m reassessed? If my 3 months of ESA Support Group runs out on November 8th, when will I get the ESA50 form? &/or the medical assessment appointment letter? Surely I’ll get them at least a few weeks before my ESA Support Group is due to run out? So mid-October at the latest?
I don’t know if I’ll have to go through the ESA50 &/or medical assessment again, but I must have to do at least 1 of those to be reassessed?
Does anyone know who the woman on the phone was? & if giving me an extra 3 months ESA is common?
I’m assuming there will be a recording of the phone call? I’m sure she mentioned the phone call will be taken into consideration when I’m next assessed.
Do you know of an email address I can contact about this matter? I know I’ll probably have to phone ESA at some point, but due to my mental health I prefer email or postal addresses.
0
Comments
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I don't see the drama.
You got 0 points on the WCA. When the decision maker called you, you became distressed so she alerted your GP. She extended your claim for three months in order that you get some help.
You should expect to receive a new ESA50 form sooner rather than later, it will likely be before three months. There is an expectation that you take steps to help yourself get better, they are not going to leave you be forever more. Whilst you're waiting to hear from the CMHT contact Mind to see if they have any groups or other support in your area.0 -
Have you called DWP to find out what the status of the claim is? Also a new ESA50 won't be required. Since you can't claim again under the same illness straight away. You either need to if you don't agree with the decision ask for a mandatory reconsideration if that fails you go to appeal.
DWP can and does have authority to call your GP and get information since you gave this authority when signing the forms. Also PIP is a different benefit from DLA and the requirements are different maybe look into it, Rather than basing your thoughts on DLA.
Nobody here will know who called you from DWP. And yes and calls are recorded. You need to phone ESA, There is no email address or and it's unlikely you will get a fast response going by post, When you can call and get a response in minutes.0 -
As others have said you're better off ringing them than guessing. No one here would know who rang you that day (not sure why you stated the exact times of those calls, we're not DWP) you'll more than likely get another ESA50 fairly soon.
PIP is totally different to DLA and the criteria is totally different. PIP descriptors here for you to take a look at. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf
Evidence would be need to support a claim and most people need to attend a f2f assessment.
Maybe some support from MIND would help you?0 -
As the others have said give the DWP a ring, could a family member / friend help you with this?
Ask them to confirm you are in the ESA SG and if there is a time limit (I suspect the award will not be time limited as your decision letter doesn't specify this).
It seems to me that the woman you spoke to may have been a decision maker who has changed the initial decision and placed you in the Support Group on the basis of regulation 35 (substantial risk to health) following the telephone call. http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/making-exception.
Your decision letter is the important document notifying you of the final decision.
Re PIP it is worth applying for. See:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/
http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/personal-independence-payment
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-to-claim/
See if your local CAB / advice agency / MIND can help you with the PIP2 form.
Best wishes.Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.0 -
You'll be sent a 'How your disability affects you' shape. Call the PIP enquiry line on the off chance that you require it in an elective arrangement, for example, braille, huge print or sound CD. Fill in the form utilizing the notes that accompany it to help you.0
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Not sure why you've replied to this thread as it was 6 months ago.Consuela-Timofte wrote: »You'll be sent a 'How your disability affects you' shape. Call the PIP enquiry line on the off chance that you require it in an elective arrangement, for example, braille, huge print or sound CD. Fill in the form utilizing the notes that accompany it to help you.0
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