ESA Assessment another question sorry

Kinzey

I was unable to attend my doctors yesterday (monday) as i suffered a panic attack. And the day i made the appointment i had one then as well, with thinking about the assessment not long around the corner. Just feel like crying all the time. Hopefully within the next couple of days i can find some courage to go as my prescription needs renewed soon.

I'm afraid this will happen again on monday (next monday), the assessment day . Am i allowed to cancel on the day, if i'm too anxious to go. and got no one to come with me? As cant call on the weekend. I've had in my head to just go there, as getting home visits seems like a lot of bother. will they give me time to get a dr's letter for the home visit? As they gave me til friday to send in a letter. but i wanna try and go to the centre, but if i dont will they give me some time to send a drs letter if i rang them on monday?

I feel like it would be a lot of bother cos i'm with a new surgery, and i havent been there often due to my anxiety i think i've been there about 3 times, and everytime ive been there ive seen a different doctor. Luckily the repeat prescription of my beta blockers (as itake one about an hr before i go out anywhere) has just kept me going without going there. Unable to take them regularly cos i keep forgetting to take them. Plus i had stopped taking my anti depressants as kept forgetting to take them anyway. i plan on asking the dr if i can go back on them as i can't cope, i think it was a bad idea to stop taking them.
I'm literally crying about a damn doctors appointment and dont go to voluntary work anymore (which is a familiar place to me).

But i don't feel right and feel awkward about asking for a letter as i havent seen a dr or havent seen a regular dr in such a while? and it depends if this dr i'm seeing for my prescription is a reasonable one. Plus i feel it wont look good on my records that i havent been there for a while due to my mental health. or will that go in my favour?

thank you so much i find this forum so helpful x

poppy12345

Providing you haven't canceled a previous appointment for this assessment then yes, you can cancel this one. You're only allowed to cancel one appointment then you have to take the next one. If you don't attend the assessment then you'll be found fit for work for failing to attend.

Kinzey

Thank you for the reply poppy. so its okay to cancel it a few hours before?
Just feel so run down at the moment riddled with anxiety and my hayfever is bad as well at the moment.
I'm also worried will it affect my money this week if i cancelled it? as i'm due to get money on tues.
thank you x

poppy12345

Kinzey wrote: »

Thank you for the reply poppy. so its okay to cancel it a few hours before?
Just feel so run down at the moment riddled with anxiety and my hayfever is bad as well at the moment.
I'm also worried will it affect my money this week if i cancelled it? as i'm due to get money on tues.
thank you x

As stated previously, providing you haven't already canceled an appointment before then yes you can cancel anytime. You can only cancel an appointment once, so if you do cancel then think carefully before agreeing to another, if one is offered when you cancel.


Your money will continue until a decision is made. If you're found fit for work then your money will stop. If you also fail to attend an assessment without canceling it then you'll be found fir for work for failing to attend, then your money will also stop.

Kinzey

okay Thank you so much poppy . I just needed that reassurance. i'm even dreading phoning them to be honest . thanks again youve been very helpful x

JoCha

I know you say you want to try and go but if you are not able to attend the first one due to your medical condition I would recommend trying to get a home visit next time, just in case the same thing happens again . I always have home visits for my assessments and it's not that difficult to arrange ... a GP's letter will suffice.

Kinzey

JoCha wrote: »

I know you say you want to try and go but if you are not able to attend the first one due to your medical condition I would recommend trying to get a home visit next time, just in case the same thing happens again . I always have home visits for my assessments and it's not that difficult to arrange ... a GP's letter will suffice.

yeah i'm not sure if they will give me time now to get a drs letter for a home visit . but thank you x

JoCha

When I had my last one the doctor did not provide a letter in time (not their fault, I daresay they have a lot on their plates) so I called ATOS or whoever they are now and they just gave me more time

JoCha

(I should note that the home visit would not be done on the day that the assessment appointment was. .. they would just cancel that and put you on a waiting list)

poppy12345

JoCha wrote: »

it's not that difficult to arrange ... a GP's letter will suffice.

That's not exactly true. They have been known to refuse a home assessment even with a letter from a GP. It really depends on the reasons why a home assessment is needed.

Alice_Holt

Have you anyone who could go with you?

This is what ATOS say about postponing assessments:

"For Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) allows you to rearrange the appointment once. If you need to rearrange your ESA appointment, please call our Enquiries line before the day of your appointment on 0800 288 8777. Our lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm

If you do not attend your appointment, you will be sent a form (BF223). It will ask why you did not attend. You will need to complete it and send it in the pre-paid addressed envelope DWP provided. If they accept ‘good cause’ for not attending the appointment, they may refer your case back to us. We will arrange a new appointment.

For all other allowances and benefits we aim to complete your assessment as soon as possible. This is so DWP can decide your claim. If you cannot attend your appointment, please call us as soon as possible using the number on your appointment letter."

I would urge you to try to attend the appointment on Monday (if you haven't already contacted them).
The DWP will assume that you’re fit for work and stop your claim.
It can then get very difficult if your claim is closed because of non-attendance at an assessment.

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