Unexpected ESA Reassessment Questionnaire.

summertrain wrote: I can't help thinking that the wording in the gatekeeper memo at section 7 in the Q&A has been implemented here Quote: "We
will continue to assess the potential for alternative interventions on those
whose repeat Work Capability Assessments are deferred to seek to manage
this consequence.

It is strange, as the statement made by both the DWP and ATOS that reassessments would stop, is there in the public domain, but I fear that these people are a law unto themselves. Who knows, IDS may have ordered them to carry on regardless

The only crumb of comfort would be if there is such a backlog, that it might be some time before a decision is made.

There is something very strange going on if "alternative interventions" means referring people for reassessment as normal. It begs an obvious question: what's the point of announcing the deferral of reassessments in the first place if they're actually happening as usual? Referring people for reassessment isn't an "alternative" intervention, it's the usual procedure.

The only explanation that makes any sense to me is one which has already been suggested, i.e. that prior to January 20th, the DWP referred a lot of people to Atos earlier than they would normally have done, because they knew the deferral process was about to begin. Given the huge backlog at Atos, it's entirely possible that Atos are only now getting round to sending out the forms for that batch of earlier than normal referrals.

If it really is business as usual, then either the deferments have stopped because the backlog has already been cleared (or at least significantly reduced to a pretty low level), which seems extremely unlikely given the reported scale of the problem, or the DWP has simply lied about any deferments taking place, in which case Penning's statement in the Commons was a work of fiction. Maybe IDS has told them to scrap deferments, but as he's the secretary of state I'd have thought the deferments couldn't have gone ahead without his authority in the first place.

All in all then, confusion reigns.

Hi all,

I think that we should take into account that the members in question have only been told verbally by call responders from ATOS and DWP that they were both re-referred for reassessment very recently.

This doesn't mean that this information is factually correct.

Both these ATOS and DWP sources are not known for the reliability of information given out.

bro58

Thank you. In my husbands case he was first awarded ESA sg when diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and thankfully although he has got through the original treatment he has been left with a catalogue of side effects leaving him very disabled, he has just been reassessed for dla hr mob and hrc as before for another three years. He is still having treatment for side effects from chemo and radiotherapy, including extra major surgery two months ago with more surgery to have and is regularly hospitalised and under six other specialist departments at two hospitals and luckily I have a mountain of letters detailing it all, copies of consultant to consultant and consultant to gp etc.

Reading through your posts Bro58 it may be they are checking for a change in circumstances as he is still alive after the three years!!!!! I will use the guide to fill in the form and hopefully all will be well as he fits into at least two automatic SG criteria groups but hey ho considering others' experiences nothing is a sure thing but staying positive. We are both feeling a bit battered after the last few years so hoping for a bit of luck.

PS as an aside I used the guide to complete the DLA renewal form to the letter and then asked CAB to check it for me, they said I had submitted too much info, repeated info too much! added too many additional sheets and my personal statement as his 24 hour career was too wordy and to cut everything down to a few sentences. I started to correct it and then thought the better of it and so submitted it as I had done it following the guide sent it off then started panicking he might be right......no need, heard back within two weeks phew!!!! So thank you all on here so much, now if you can just work your magic with the esa we would be very grateful

I don't think the powers that be have any understanding of the stress that serious illness causes a family and the threat of having monetary help withdrawn just increases this stress and, in fact, is detrimental to recovery or just being able to cope with the illness in a positive and dignified way. Quite often someone with a serious illness and disablilty suffers numerous indignities on a routine basis and having to effectively be beholden for financial help when you have worked your whole life is demeaning and the constant demonising of claimants by media and politicians only serves to make people, who may already feel they are a burden, even more demoralised.

Good luck sidneyboy, fingers crossed for both of us and sorry I hijacked your thread but it is good to know it wasn't just my husband they are out to get!!!!!!


X

Tintack wrote:

The only explanation that makes any sense to me is one which has already been suggested, i.e. that prior to January 20th, the DWP referred a lot of people to Atos earlier than they would normally have done, because they knew the deferral process was about to begin. Given the huge backlog at Atos, it's entirely possible that Atos are only now getting round to sending out the forms for that batch of earlier than normal referrals.

I agree with you Tintack, I thought just the same as you, but that doesn't explain why when froggy and sydneyboy queried when had the DWP referred then to ATOS, they were told it was only days ago. Unless of course ATOS are spreading misinformation designed to confuse and upset.

bro58 wrote: Hi all,

I think that we should take into account that the members in question have only been told verbally by call responders from ATOS and DWP that they were both re-referred for reassessment very recently.

This doesn't mean that this information is factually correct.

Both these ATOS and DWP sources are not known for the reliability of information given out.

bro58

Just a quickie but yes I was only told verbally in a call to DWP that referral had been made a few days ago, it might well have been in the pipeline so this is absolutely a possibility. Either way nothing to do but get on with the form filling

froggy wrote: Thank you. In my husbands case he was first awarded ESA sg when diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and thankfully although he has got through the original treatment he has been left with a catalogue of side effects leaving him very disabled, he has just been reassessed for dla hr mob and hrc as before for another three years. He is still having treatment for side effects from chemo and radiotherapy, including extra major surgery two months ago with more surgery to have and is regularly hospitalised and under six other specialist departments at two hospitals and luckily I have a mountain of letters detailing it all, copies of consultant to consultant and consultant to gp etc.

Reading through your posts Bro58 it may be they are checking for a change in circumstances as he is still alive after the three years!!!!! I will use the guide to fill in the form and hopefully all will be well as he fits into at least two automatic SG criteria groups but hey ho considering others' experiences nothing is a sure thing but staying positive. We are both feeling a bit battered after the last few years so hoping for a bit of luck.

PS as an aside I used the guide to complete the DLA renewal form to the letter and then asked CAB to check it for me, they said I had submitted too much info, repeated info too much! added too many additional sheets and my personal statement as his 24 hour career was too wordy and to cut everything down to a few sentences. I started to correct it and then thought the better of it and so submitted it as I had done it following the guide sent it off then started panicking he might be right......no need, heard back within two weeks phew!!!! So thank you all on here so much, now if you can just work your magic with the esa we would be very grateful

I don't think the powers that be have any understanding of the stress that serious illness causes a family and the threat of having monetary help withdrawn just increases this stress and, in fact, is detrimental to recovery or just being able to cope with the illness in a positive and dignified way. Quite often someone with a serious illness and disablilty suffers numerous indignities on a routine basis and having to effectively be beholden for financial help when you have worked your whole life is demeaning and the constant demonising of claimants by media and politicians only serves to make people, who may already feel they are a burden, even more demoralised.

Good luck sidneyboy, fingers crossed for both of us and sorry I hijacked your thread but it is good to know it wasn't just my husband they are out to get!!!!!!


X

Hi f,

Thanks for the background information on Hubby !

I am glad to hear that he responded to the treatment, and that the DLA renewal was successful

I do hope that he is reassessed correctly and stays in The SG.

Please keep us updated.

bro58