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ESA telephone assessment-Parkinsons
- ELK
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4 weeks 1 day ago #305899 by ELK
ESA telephone assessment-Parkinsons was created by ELK
Hi everyone
I have early onset Parkinson’s disease and was diagnosed about eight years ago. I’m currently not working having handed my notice in 11 months ago because I was slowing down at work. I am now trying to claim ESA. Due to Parkinson’s being progressive with no cure I thought I might go into the severe conditions category as I do seem to tick the criteria but would this be considered after the tel assessment?
So I sent in a detailed ESA 50 form with a lot of supporting evidence (from consultants my nurse and discharge letters from the physiotherapist and neuro psychologist that I saw in the last 5-12 months) and was hoping that I might have a paper based assessment. I contacted Serco again today who confirmed I am going to have a telephone assessment which they booked in for me in a week or so.
Just wondering, what kind of questions might be asked - will they just go through my ESA 50 form and confirm my answers? My symptoms vary a lot depending on if my medication is working, if I’m having an on or off period. I also suffer with anxiety and can get a bit flustered on the phone and I’m worried I’m gonna mess up on the call and not be able to explain my condition and the way it can affect me. I was hoping to have some info from you in the following if possible please…..
Any advice on how best to prepare and tips for the telephone interview…
Is there a copy of questions that I can expect they’ll throw at me so I can prepare..
Anyone else with Parkinson’s been through this successfully- hints and tips..
How long after the assessment can I expect an answer?
Thanks 🙏
I have early onset Parkinson’s disease and was diagnosed about eight years ago. I’m currently not working having handed my notice in 11 months ago because I was slowing down at work. I am now trying to claim ESA. Due to Parkinson’s being progressive with no cure I thought I might go into the severe conditions category as I do seem to tick the criteria but would this be considered after the tel assessment?
So I sent in a detailed ESA 50 form with a lot of supporting evidence (from consultants my nurse and discharge letters from the physiotherapist and neuro psychologist that I saw in the last 5-12 months) and was hoping that I might have a paper based assessment. I contacted Serco again today who confirmed I am going to have a telephone assessment which they booked in for me in a week or so.
Just wondering, what kind of questions might be asked - will they just go through my ESA 50 form and confirm my answers? My symptoms vary a lot depending on if my medication is working, if I’m having an on or off period. I also suffer with anxiety and can get a bit flustered on the phone and I’m worried I’m gonna mess up on the call and not be able to explain my condition and the way it can affect me. I was hoping to have some info from you in the following if possible please…..
Any advice on how best to prepare and tips for the telephone interview…
Is there a copy of questions that I can expect they’ll throw at me so I can prepare..
Anyone else with Parkinson’s been through this successfully- hints and tips..
How long after the assessment can I expect an answer?
Thanks 🙏
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- David
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3 weeks 5 days ago #306120 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic ESA telephone assessment-Parkinsons
Hi ELK
It would be most helpful if someone with Parkinsons shared their experiences of the WCA with you.
All I can say is that the questioning is usually adversarial which means they are looking for ways to question your illness and your account of it. They may question you about having a pet or how you celebrate or your social life for anything that they can jump on as contradictory. Have you read the BenefitsandWork guides on this?
David
It would be most helpful if someone with Parkinsons shared their experiences of the WCA with you.
All I can say is that the questioning is usually adversarial which means they are looking for ways to question your illness and your account of it. They may question you about having a pet or how you celebrate or your social life for anything that they can jump on as contradictory. Have you read the BenefitsandWork guides on this?
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- ELK
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3 weeks 13 hours ago #306390 by ELK
Replied by ELK on topic ESA telephone assessment-Parkinsons
Thanks for your reply. Yes I have had a look through as much as I can! My condition does in fact play a key part in everything I can / want to / and am able to do daily. For example I have a dog but we have a dog walker now to help 3 times a week and I can only walk her at certain times depending on when I have taken my medication as when I am fully dosed I get side effects which makes it impossible to walk if dyskinesia kicks in. The difficult thing is when I am having a good day things can be great but when my meds don't hit the spot things can be quite debilitating so symptoms and capabilities vary greatly. I was told to focus on the worse days. I spoke to someone at Parkinsons UK about my claim and they gave me some initial information - I have contacted them again as they may be able to get someone to be on the call with me. I am hoping this may be helpful. Do you know roughly how long Serco take to get back to DWP and how long decisions are currently taking?
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- David
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3 weeks 10 hours ago #306406 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic ESA telephone assessment-Parkinsons
Hi ELK
You can try phoning them. Sometimes you get palmed off by one telephony agent but phone again five minutes later and you speak to someone helpful.
Let me know how you get on.
David
You can try phoning them. Sometimes you get palmed off by one telephony agent but phone again five minutes later and you speak to someone helpful.
Let me know how you get on.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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