a quick question

this is my third attempt to make this post, twice yesterday and now this one, so if I am doing something wrong can you please let me know, it seems a simple question to me, so I can`t see it breaking any rules, so I can only assume my posts are not getting through for some reason, anyway, here goes,

what I would like is your advice on the following, in your opinion is it better to send a dr.`s letter of support when you send off your questionnaire or to save it in case you need it in an appeal situation? would the letter carry any weight in an appeal if it has already been used in the first instance?

I have had two dealings with atos, neither of which I used a dr.`s letter, the first time was when I was migrated from incapacity benefit to esa support group following a home visit by atos, the second time a decision was made following my returning the questionnaire, no atos medical was required this time,

again I was placed in the support group, I am due for reassessment at the end of the year, and would welcome your advice on how best to use a dr.`s letter, which he has said he will write for me as he believes I am unfit for work, also could you advise me about the use of a dr.`s letter when my dla changes to pip in 2015, many thanks

freefee wrote: this is my third attempt to make this post, twice yesterday and now this one, so if I am doing something wrong can you please let me know, it seems a simple question to me, so I can`t see it breaking any rules, so I can only assume my posts are not getting through for some reason, anyway, here goes,

what I would like is your advice on the following, in your opinion is it better to send a dr.`s letter of support when you send off your questionnaire or to save it in case you need it in an appeal situation? would the letter carry any weight in an appeal if it has already been used in the first instance?

I have had two dealings with atos, neither of which I used a dr.`s letter, the first time was when I was migrated from incapacity benefit to esa support group following a home visit by atos, the second time a decision was made following my returning the questionnaire, no atos medical was required this time,

again I was placed in the support group, I am due for reassessment at the end of the year, and would welcome your advice on how best to use a dr.`s letter, which he has said he will write for me as he believes I am unfit for work, also could you advise me about the use of a dr.`s letter when my dla changes to pip in 2015, many thanks

Hi ff,

There is certainly nothing wrong with your query.

I have checked and none of your previous posts have been deleted.

All posts remain in a pre-approval area for Mods to read and approve before posting, so if we did have reason to delete your post, it would still show up on the forum with an explanation of why it had been deleted.

It must be something at your end, or it could be if you were trying to post outside the forum opening hours 2 - 4 PM & 8 - 10 PM, when even though the site is still open to browse and download, new posts will not register.

With regards to your question, we advise that all supporting evidence should be included with the ESA50.

There is no benefit to holding information back, the whole idea is to gain entry to correct group of ESA without the need for an appeal.

Yes, you can refer to evidence already provided, e.g. in the case of a reconsideration/appeal. Sometimes this is enough, as any reconsideration is carried out by a different more senior DWP DM, to the one that made the original adverse decision.

bro58

also I would like to know are there any key points I should ask my gp to include in the letter, so that I remain in the support group?

You should ask your GP to refer directly to which of the Support group critieria you meet as a result of your medical conditions (if possible). Be careful not to put words into his/her mouth as DWP can ask to see any letter you sent to the GP asking for support.

freefee wrote: also I would like to know are there any key points I should ask my gp to include in the letter, so that I remain in the support group?

Hi ff,

Many G.P.'s simply refer to their patients being unfit for work, this would only help the patient to gain entry to The WRAG.

It would be more helpful, if the G.P. referred to their patient as being unfit to take part in work related activity, i.e. WFI's WRA etc, as this is the criteria for entry to The SG.

You must be assessed as having Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) and not just Limited Capability for Work (LCW)

You could also show the G.P. a copy of The SG Descriptors, including ESA Reg 35, to see whether in their opinion you fulfill at least one of them.

See : SG (LCWRA)Schedule 3 Descriptors

ESA Reg 35 for entry to The SG (LCWRA)

Qualifying for the Support Group

Try not to "lead" your G.P. in any way, provide them with the information, and let them voice their own opinion.

bro58

thanks for all your advice, just one more question, would it be ok to send a copy of my gp`s letter as opposed to the original, as it would be a pain to get a new letter every time you need to communicate with them, and also as I stated previously, would a letter from my gp be of use when dla changes tom pip, many thanks