ESA - work capability

jasmine110

Good afternoon, I am writing on behalf of my wife and wondered if anyone could give me some advice.
5 months ago she was transferred from DLA to PIP. It was a home visit due to her health, and high strength pain medication. Previously to this, we had both worked fulltime all of our lives, up to the point when she became ill.
When the nurse/assessor came for the PIP appointment, she commented on my wife's illness and the medications she is prescribed and said she didn't know why the heck she was even sent here. However, she did the assessment and told me I could get a copy of the report. I did, and when I read it, I was astounded about how much untruth this lady had written, all that said, my wife was awarded high rate PIP.
Next, an ESA work capability form arrived, I filled it in and returned it by registered delivery, and it was signed for at their end. In the meantime, I had 2 letters both reminders, telling us the form needed to be back within 14 days!
I telephoned them as I wanted to check it had been entered on to the system because I knew it had been delivered. Over 3 days I was in a queue for 1 hour 20 minutes, the next day 1 hour.17, and again 1 hour 19 minutes. Finally, in desperation, I found another number and I was told the form had just arrived, on that day!
4 weeks later we recieved an appointment to attend an assessment center for a WCA, and its 29 miles away. I wonder if they have actually read the form I sent back, I have to lift my wife's full body weight to get her in and out of a chair, the same to get her to bed, or shower. Unfortunately, she cannot stand up on her own, or support herself. I just dont know how they would expect me to ever get her 29 miles away.

Her PIP file was placed into a light touch category, I found this out when I telephoned the DWP for the result of that assessment, again after not hearing from them.

I have looked after my wife constantly, on my own, for over 8 years now, I have no help, it's just me, and her, and now I feel very very tired, and quite tearful, by this letter. (Im sorry to say)

I wonder could anyone advise me who I can call at the DWP, as these people at the assessment center are not at all helpful. I feel they have not even read the form as I did state that she could not attend an interview, and asked that any appointments please be done at home. She has been in the support group for a few years, so I am at a loss of why they think all of sudden things have changed.
If anyone could give me any advice about who to telephone, and who to speak too, it would be greatly appreciated, as I just do not know what to do.
Very best regards
Micheal

poppy12345

It will be the health assessment providers you need to ring and not DWP because assessment appointments are nothing to do with DWP.


I'd advise you to first speak to her GP to get a letter stating the reasons why she can't attend an assessment centre, then ring them. Do be aware that you can only cancel an appointment once.

elsien

It's not what you asked, but you are aware you can ask and be assessed for support for both yourself and your wife if you're struggling?

pmlindyloo

Please try not to be upset by this.

This is very common. As it happens so frequently it is possible that no one has actually looked at the form and the computer has generated an appointment.

Even if they have looked at the form they do need evidence from your doctor that your wife is unable to attend doctor/hospital appointments so please get a letter from your wife's doctor explaining why she cannot attend.

The contact number is in this link:

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/updates/2015/08/requesting-home-visit-if-you-cannot-travel-0