Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit

Ann1958

I suffer with ME and depression. I received a phone call on 4th May asking me to attend a medical on 20th May at 11`0`clock, following the form IB50 which I completed a couple of months ago. I was told I would receive a letter with the appointment and a map to show me how to get there.

I didn`t receive the letter but luckily, as I had attended a medical there last year, I knew where to go. I got there at 10:55 and was asked for my letter. When I explained I hadn`t received it, the receptionist didn`t seem to believe me. Anyway, the doctor called me in at 11`o`clock and I left at 11:25.

I left the medical feeling very negative. I feel I have failed the assessment but wasn`t sure if I could cope with an appeal, if it becomes necessary.

Today, 2 days later, I received a letter from them asking why I didn`t attend my medical. I am absolutely furious. I filled in the reply section and returned it by Recorded Delivery so they can`t claim not to have received my reply or claim that they didn`t send it to me in the first place. I have very little faith in them. The only proof I have that I attended is that I noted the name of the doctor, thank goodness.

After receiving this letter today it has absolutely fired me up and if I do fail the assessment I will definitely be appealing again the decision. I feel that the fact they claim I didn`t attend and then, if they find the details of my assessment they then fail me, how can I be certain that it`s my illness and limitations that they`ve assessed me on and not someone else? Do they know what they are doing?

If I do need to appeal I will, of course, take advice from the CAB but I wonder if someone could give me some advice here in the meantime, please. Has this happened to anyone else? I can`t be the only person to have been "lost".

Many thanks
Ann

colin13

a friend of mine was asked to go for medical,,, she jumped on a train and went in to glasgow,,only to b told a letter had been sent to her telling her she did not need to come in,,, may b ur just unlucky or all the medical places r poor at letting ppl know wot is goin on

as far as ur appeal goes a lot of people on here say ur better going for an oral hearing, as u can tell them face to face how u feel and put accross ur point better than in writing

Ann1958

Thanks for replying. I am going to attend an appeal rather than appeal in writing, if it comes to that, but I`m going to get all the advice I can first from the CAB. My point though was that although I did attend the assessment on Tuesday I got a letter from the DWP today, 2 days later, saying I had not attended and asked why. How did they lose me? I reckon the doctor pressed the wrong button and deleted all my info, or else someone else failed to turn up and they got it wrong.

hjb123

Ann1958,

I hope that it all sorts out for you. I understand what you are going through as I too have ME, and have been to a couple of medicals, the first time I hadnt a clue what it was goign to be like and as a result failed. The second time I took my Mum and was more prepared and knew more about it, also I luckily had a doctor doing the report that was nice and sympathetic and understood the illness

I appealed when I got my benefit stopped and attended the appeal as there is a greater success rate for attending in person rather than a paper appeal. I also had a benefit support worker attend with me, not that they allowed him to speak much:D

It might also be worth contacting your local ME group for help if you havent already - dont know whether or not you are a member? Some groups are affiliated with the CAB and have workers dedicated to benefits for ME sufferers. I used this service and found it ever so helpful

BritBrat

I had a similar thing last time I had to go.

Then sent me one appointment and some weeks later sent me another.

I phoned them up to say what had happened and they said ignore the first one.

I said no I am not as I had already replied to say I would be attending and that is what I did.

I think the intelligence of the people but not all who work in these locked in offices need to be looked at.

Or at least the training they get.

Thanks for replying. I am going to attend an appeal rather than appeal in writing, if it comes to that, but I`m going to get all the advice I can first from the CAB. My point though was that although I did attend the assessment on Tuesday I got a letter from the DWP today, 2 days later, saying I had not attended and asked why. How did they lose me? I reckon the doctor pressed the wrong button and deleted all my info, or else someone else failed to turn up and they got it wrong.

Did you claim travel costs?

If so you have proof of attendance.

healy

Also when you arrived you should have signed a form which would indicate that you attended. It does sound like a clerical error and I think once they have dealt with your Doctors report they will realise that you have in fact attended.

Ann1958

hjb123 - I was totally shattered during the assessment, as you will understand being a fellow ME sufferer, and couldn`t think too clearly. The doctor seemed much more interested in what I can do rather than what I can`t do and the effect it has on me. She also concentrated a lot on the fact that I was clean and, in her words, "well turned out". I was wearing a skirt and t-shirt. The fact that I keep my body, hair and clothes clean caused her to tell me that I can obviously do quite a lot!!! I haven`t contacted an ME group but it`s certainly worth a try. I used to be a member of ME Action, I think it was called but only for a few years.

BritBrat - A friend drove me and I didn`t claim for petrol costs, I wish I had now but surely the fact that I am able to give the doctor`s name should help in my defence, especially as it`s a very unusual name. Also there are signs up in the building saying that CCTV cameras are in use so if they insist I wasn`t there I`ll suggest they check the tape.

healy - I did sign a form and showed some ID but that could easily be "lost". I said before that a friend took me to the assessment so he is my witness, only thing is they could say he was lying as well. Oh well, I`ll wait to see what happens next.

Thanks to all three of you for your replies.