Although I haven't heard from Atos about a decision after my medical assessment, I did today receive a letter from the DWP saying that ESA will be paid from May and that I am in the Support Group. This is more than I could have hoped as I was really expecting the worst and was not only preparing myself for this but also planning my appeal!

I have moderate ME/CFS, so I hope this gives hope to others.

Thanks so much to Benefits and Work and the moderators on this forum, what you do is really valuable and greatly appreciated. Not only were the guides very helpful, but the chance to ask/read questions on a forum is so important, particularly when stressed, frightened, too ill to fight and in need of lots of support.

That is good news! Thank you for letting us know - and for your comments about this site

You won'r hear from ATOS regarding your result, their involvement ends once they have carried out your 'medical' and sent their report to DWP.

Well done. The form is especially difficult if you have a variable condition. I have severe ME/CFS and got into the SG after reconsideration. The whole process is incredibly stressful. I am still trying to get back to where I was before the ESA fiasco a month after the decision to put me in the SG was made.

I'm glad you made it into the Support Group after all. i agree, the form doesn't really suit fluctuating conditions that well, so it's important to add as much extra info as possible about how it fluctuates and why. All of which adds to the exertion of the form etc, but sadly necessary.

I know what you mean about to get back to where you were before the ESA fiasco. It was all relatively straightforward and quick in my case (2 months between dreaded phone call and decision) but it was still incredibly stressful, and made my the ME/CFS very unstable and I'm struggling to get my symptoms under control again 3 weeks after the assessment. Unfortunatley, I feel I still cannot relax as I am wondering when the next form will arrive. It's all terribly wrong when they are doing this to ill people.

Biscuit

Re-assessments are based on the ATOS prognosis as detailed on their medical report, so if you request either the ESA85 if you had a medical, or the ESA85A if you did not, from your local DWP office, you may be able to ascertain when you will likely be assessed again.

Gordon

Hi,
I also have moderate M.E. I recently went to a tribunal and gained 15 points as opposed to none and was placed in the WRAG group. I need to apply for the suppport group, can you give me any tips?
Regards, G x