Work Capability Assessment date - finally!

The date has finally come through for my WCA - 7th June, approx 26 months since I first applied for ESA. Now it's booked I've getting nervous and a couple of questions spring to mind which I hope you can answer.

In the blurb they send it says take along appointment letters etc. My question is should I take along every bit of medical paperwork I've received in the past 2 years? I haven't counted them, but the pile of letters is about 3 inches in height and probably numbers about 70. Surely they're not going to read them all on the day!

Following more symptoms, I've recently had some more tests and am currently waiting for the results. If I get the results before my WCA and they are something new rather than a progression of my existing condition should I inform Maximus and DWP as a Change of Circumstances or will they say they can't consider them at such a late date? I gather informing on the day is pointless. I did inform them last August of other changes so am presuming they will take those ones into account.

Finally, ID. I know the blurb says take along passport or 3 types of ID. My passport has run out and I don't have a driving licence so I'm wondering if council tax bill, proof of being on the electoral roll and a copy of my birth certificate is sufficient? I obviously also have various letters from the DWP themselves!

Thanks for you help - wish me luck!

Hi Gordon

Thanks for replying.

When I contacted Maximus and DWP in August last year about informing them of a new diagnosis and worsening of an existing condition, they said a new ESA50 would be unnecessary as it counted as a Change of Circumstances and to write a letter. This I did, itemising which of the questions on the old ESA50 needed new or additional information. This information was very detailed - it ran to 2 pages of typewritten text.

There were also some questions which originally weren't relevant (in 2014) which now were (in 2015 and still are now), so again I itemised them and gave the information. In many ways I suppose it was pretty much an updated ESA50 in letter form. I sent it to both the DWP and Maximus. As I say, it was their instruction not to do a new ESA50.

I thought that's what you might say about the additional information, so I'll go through the pile and pick out relevant ones from my consultant, specialist nurse and a couple of others. I'll also do a covering letter about the most recent symptoms and send to Maximus and the DWP Decision Maker.

As speed is of the essence, presumably it would be best to get this to them as soon as possible saying I have not yet received a diagnosis. The symptoms do have relevance in the context of the ESA activities, so I'll make sure that comes across.

All this thinking makes my head hurt!

Thanks once again.

Thanks Gordon - thankfully the dreaded brain fog isn't paying one of its frequent visits at the moment, so I'll get cracking whilst the going's relatively good.

Thanks once again and I'll let you know how I get on.

Hello again

A couple more questions I'm afraid!

I've had the test results come back that I mentioned in my original post. According to my GP the results don't show up anything new so she thinks it's my neurological illness showing more symptoms/slight progression and not a new diagnosis of anything. Still unpleasant and difficult to deal with, but nothing new diagnosed. I'm having more tests this Friday and these results will take a couple of weeks to come through.

As per your suggestion a couple of weeks ago, I've put together a covering letter for the DWP outlining symptoms. I've also included other stuff such as further referrals and changes to medication etc with reference to the relevant questions on the ESA50. It took two weeks, but I got there in the end! It's very similar to the Change of Circumstances letter I sent in August last year, but I have not called it a Change of Circumstances at this stage as I don't think it is in the sense that they (DWP) call it one.

My question is, bearing in mind it's nothing new and 'just' a progression should I still send it to the DWP and/or Maximus for their consideration prior to my appointment or might they assume I'm trying too hard to prove I'm ill? I wonder if they would even consider it anyway or just go on how I am on the day? If I do send it, I'll send it Special Delivery so at least they would get it tomorrow.

Sorry for asking - I really wish my brain worked properly all the time and not for a few days here and there

Thanks again