ESA Work Capability assessment. Please help

Polgara72

I have moderately severe depression and anxiety. For the past two years I’ve been in the support group for ESA, but I have to attend a WCA in two weeks. I’m terrified. I’ve heard so many horror stories about it. I receive PIP.

Does anyone have any advice or experience that might help please?

poppy12345

Polgara72 wrote: »

I have moderately severe depression and anxiety. For the past two years I’ve been in the support group for ESA, but I have to attend a WCA in two weeks. I’m terrified. I’ve heard so many horror stories about it. I receive PIP.

Does anyone have any advice or experience that might help please?

It wil be exactly the same as the last time you went to the ESA assessment. You'l be asked question about how your condition affects you and your ability to do any type of work. You should answer those questions with as much detail as possible and try to avoid just a yes or no answer.

Do you know the reasons why you were placed in the Support Group that last time? It would be useful to know this. My guess is it could be reg 35 as you say you're claiming for mental health reasons.

Hopefully you sent in evidence to support your claim because they very rarely contact anyone fore evidence. The onus is on you to make sure this is sent in. Good luck.

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/

Polgara72

Thank you. I didn’t have to have an assessment last time, I was put straight into the support group. I don’t know on what evidence or under which reg. it was two years ago and I just filled in the forms and sent it off.

I have a copy of the form filled in, and will be getting a letter from my ANP and counsellor. I;ve been seeing him weekly for over 18 months. That was on psychology recommendation, prior to the start of any specialised psychotherapy.

I try my utmost to mask things when I’m out and for a short period I can appear ‘normal’;. I’m aware that won’t do me any favours though. The fact the assessment is taking place in my former office is an added pressure.

poppy12345

Polgara72 wrote: »

Thank you. I didn’t have to have an assessment last time, I was put straight into the support group. I don’t know on what evidence or under which reg. it was two years ago and I just filled in the forms and sent it off.

I have a copy of the form filled in, and will be getting a letter from my ANP and counsellor. I;ve been seeing him weekly for over 18 months. That was on psychology recommendation, prior to the start of any specialised psychotherapy.

I try my utmost to mask things when I’m out and for a short period I can appear ‘normal’;. I’m aware that won’t do me any favours though. The fact the assessment is taking place in my former office is an added pressure.

If you didn't send any evidence with the ESA50 when you returned it then this will be why you're having an assessment this time. Evidence is a really important part to claiming these benefits.

If you can get that evidence before the assessment then i'd advice you to send a copy of everything you have to DWP, make sure your National Insurance number is on the top of everything you send. This is because they very often will refuse to take evidence from you during the assessment. It happened to me for myself and my daughter. Some will accept it, whilst others won't.

Do you have anyone to go with you to the assessment? You are correct, that masking things during your assessment will not do you any favours. Remember the assessment is to see what work you can do rather that what work you can't do.

Polgara72

Thanks for the tips. I used to decide on claims for DLA, so know something of the internal workings, but not the assessment part of things. I know they’ve written to my gp, but her response was brief and didn’t provide much information.
My counsellor is going to do a letter: he’s a former cpn. I don’t really know my new nurse practitioner - my old one left a couple of months ago. I’ve left a message for the new one.

I was going to get someone to take me to the assessment but I hate talking about the reality in front of anyone, including family. I’ll see if my friend can come down. I really appreciate your help x

Danday

Polgara72 wrote: »

Thanks for the tips. I used to decide on claims for DLA, so know something of the internal workings, but not the assessment part of things. I know they’ve written to my gp, but her response was brief and didn’t provide much information.
My counsellor is going to do a letter: he’s a former cpn. I don’t really know my new nurse practitioner - my old one left a couple of months ago. I’ve left a message for the new one.

I was going to get someone to take me to the assessment but I hate talking about the reality in front of anyone, including family. I’ll see if my friend can come down. I really appreciate your help x

At my ESA assessment which was just after it came in, the assessor actually refused to entertain any discussion. It was as though each question fired at me only needed a yes/no answer. It is only human nature to portray a different side to what is actually the norm. Who really wants to discuss their difficulties with a complete stranger. Even seeing a GP locum is not very comfortable. and most people prefer to see the GP that knows all about you, warts and all.
You aren't the first and certainly won't be the last to do this. You may well be lucky and get an assessor that actually wants to carry out a full, comprehensive and honest assessment.
You can only hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

[Deleted User]

Try to take someone you don't mind being frank in front of. It really won't help if you have someone you can't be honest with in the assessment. MIND might be able to help you find an appropriate charity or support network.

As already said, try and be as frank as you can be. I realised when I saw my PIP report that I hadn't said enough but was able to explain some points when doing the mandatory reassessment. I was asked how my depression showed and was a bit embarrassed. I didn't give a good answer and it meant I had to explain my lack of motivation which wasn't recognised by the assessor (I hadn't talked about that).

poppy12345

Polgara72 wrote: »

Thanks for the tips. I used to decide on claims for DLA, so know something of the internal workings, but not the assessment part of things. I know they’ve written to my gp, but her response was brief and didn’t provide much information.
My counsellor is going to do a letter: he’s a former cpn. I don’t really know my new nurse practitioner - my old one left a couple of months ago. I’ve left a message for the new one.

I was going to get someone to take me to the assessment but I hate talking about the reality in front of anyone, including family. I’ll see if my friend can come down. I really appreciate your help x

You're welcome. Please ignore what Dandy says, he has a habbit of giving incorrect advice. Remember we only ever hear the bad stories on the internet. Those that have an award they're happy with have no questions to ask, therefore we don't hear about them. Good luck and if you have any further questions please do ask.

Danday

poppy12345 wrote: »

You're welcome. Please ignore what Dandy says, he has a habbit of giving incorrect advice. Remember we only ever hear the bad stories on the internet. Those that have an award they're happy with have no questions to ask, therefore we don't hear about them. Good luck and if you have any further questions please do ask.

Which bit is incorrect?

Tommo1980

Only the made up bits.... so that's pretty much everything.