ESA medical

shopaholic2

So 13 weeks after sending in my latest esa 50 I’ve been called for a dreaded medical. By the time I have it it’ll be 15 weeks.
I’m terrified. I’ve been on esa since it was incapacity benefit and sick pay before then! I cope day to day because I have to but I’m no better now than I was in 1999 when I first claimed. If anything I’m worse now as I have heart failure ( albeit controlled with medication and a pacemaker).
What do I need to do at the medical? What should I take? I sent off a stack of medical evidence with my claim form in the vain hope they wouldn’t call me for a medical
My husband will take me. It’s 2 weeks today and I feel sick and scared.
Should I take my medical evidence with me? In 2008 I had to go to a tribunal to keep my incapacity benefit and the panel all said I shouldn’t be there and they’d already agreed to reinstate it before I went in!
I just don’t understand the logic :mad:

calcotti

Just attend and answer any questions truthfully explaining how your health affects you most of the time. If you are having a 'good day' explain that and that it is not typical of how you are most of the time. You don't need to take medical evidence you have already supplied. If you have any new evidence you can take that. For some reason they often ask you to take your medication with you. Your husband can attend with you. If you are asked to do anything you are not comfortable with you can decline but explain why.


This is quite helpful https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Documents/Advice%20(public)/pip-helpsheet-assessment.pdf
It's written for PIP but the general advice applies equally to ESA.

poppy12345

All work capability assessments are the same, are you saying you've never attended one in all that time?



You'll need to take some form of ID with you. If you've sent the evidence already then there's no need to take anymore.



They will ask you questions based on how your conditions affect your day to day life and assess your ability to do any type of work. Do be aware that you will be watched from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave.



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


https://www.chdauk.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-esa


Once you've had the assessment wait a week and then ring DWP to request a copy of the ESA85 assessment report. This will give you some idea what the decision is likely to be because they usually go with the recommendations in the report. Your ESA will continue until a decision's been made.

Jab87

My son went for his ESA reassessment meeting on Friday. Has anyone else been for a reassessment lately? How long did you wait to hear the decision and does his benefit continue in between? If he is unsuccessful, does he need to apply for other benefit?

calcotti

Jab87 wrote: »

My son went for his ESA reassessment meeting on Friday. Has anyone else been for a reassessment lately? How long did you wait to hear the decision and does his benefit continue in between? If he is unsuccessful, does he need to apply for other benefit?

Existing award continues until a new decision is made. Timescales vary - no fixed period.

If unsuccessful he can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration but ESA will not be paid during this period if it has been refused. Usually the MR results in no change (but can be successful). Thereafter can appeal to the tribunal service if necessary, while waiting for an appeal would be paid the assessment rate of ESA.

There are other options depending on circumstances but I suggest you wait for a decision before getting bogged down in the alternatives.

Incidentally, it would have been better to post your question in a new thread. Posting in somebody else’s thread means that the details of your question can get mixed up with the details of the original question.