What does 'full case check' mean?

mumsgirl wrote: I have to send my esa form back at the end of the week. Before I do can I just check with yourselves that the following things are OK to include -

The instruction leaflet on my anti depressants that shows the side effects?

Remember, the side effects leaflet indicates what a patient may suffer from. not what they will suffer from, so if you do have any side-effects from the medication then you also need to include these in the body of the ESA50.

Mentioning that I believe I fit descriptor numbers (for example) 11 and 12 on scedule 3?

Do not just refer to them by number, quote the full descriptor, or where there are sub-descriptors, the sections that apply o you.[/quote]

And saying that if they don't think I do I wish to be considered for reg 34 or 35?

It is not enough to simply say you meet the criteria for Reg. 35, you need to explain why!

Request that they contact my GP. I have a letter from my GP saying that the practice doesn't give patients benefit letters anymore and that they want DWP/ATOS to contact them directly with the correct forms to fill in?

It is worth a try, but do not be surprised if they still fail to contact your GP.

Mention the court ruling last week about the WCA for mental health patients and that they should contact the GP?

Again, worth a try but this case is on-going and there have been no recommendations on changes to ATOS and/or DWP procedures.

Should I mention that I am already in ESA SG and hope to stay there or should I not mention it at all and let them treat it as a totally brand new claim. If I do tell them should I enclose my last esa/dwp 'reward' letters?

Certainly worth mentioning, I do not think that the award letter is need but there is no harm in including it.

A printout of symptoms of my illnesses (not sure about this because they are only the symptoms - they don't really explain why I can't function)?

As above, you need to state what actually affects you, if you can relate them back to the descriptors even better.

A letter from my psychiatrist (even though he discharged me in 2011) which states on it that my condition is life enduring, non treatable, will probably get gradually worse and that I would have great difficulty tolerating any kind of employment because any type of social interaction would exacerbate my mental illnesses?

Do not forget that Limited Capability for Work only gets you into the WRAG, so whilst important this letter will not get you into the Support Group.

Tell them how I feel the consequences would be if I had to claim JSA or WRAG )as per p52 of your guide?

Yes

I also have a bus card (with companion on it) that my ex mental health support worker got me that I have never used because I don't go out, don't use public transport and don't have a companion. Do you think I could cut it in half to prove I haven't used it because of agoraphobia, panic attacks etc? It’s stilll ‘in date’

It is you decision, but I would not, it introduces the idea that you can/have gone out by having this card.

Anything I have missed?

At the moment no! but if I think of anything else I will reply to your post.

Gordon

mumsgirl wrote: Thanks for all that Gordon.

I forgot to ask - I have seen various mental health psychiatrists/psychologists etc since 1988 but I was discharged in 2011 because there's nothing they can do because my condition is "chronic, life enduring, non curable, non treatable" Should I mention being discharged?

I would say yes, it would explain why you do not have and cannot obtain any recent medical evidence, it also goes to confirming that that your condition will not improve.

Gordon

mumsgirl

As the letter confirms that your condition(s) are lifelong it would make sense for you to include it with the ESA50.

In regard the SG descriptors, the two ESA Claim guides list the SG descriptors that apply to each questions, the two SG descriptors that cover Conveying Food to the Mouth and Chewing and Swallowing are not covered in questions 1-17.

Gordon