ESA Nighmare

Hi I have just started this ESA nightmare and my fear is I will lose everything my home etc I have a list of ailments and only one lung left and sadly it is failing but when they called me on the phone they showed no interest in my medical conditions I asked would they be contacting my Doctor but was told no its up to me to get reports when I fill in their form .Please I would take any advice how to deal with this nightmare as I feel that just dying might be better.

Hi

I would query their reply, Atos clearly state that you do not need to supply medical evidence, although of course if you have any you are completely free to do so and if it backs up your conditions then it is all to the good. However on the ESA50 form they state that it is not necessary or essential and in fact Atos do sometimes approach your GP for more evidence, as they did mine last year.

All I can say as a user and member of this site is give as much information as possible. Fill in each section slowly and carefully giving as much explanation possible on how your conditions affect your daily life and ability to do things, this site is excellent and really informative.

Many of us do not have pages of medical evidence to send in, especially if, as in my case, there is nothing more that can be done to manage my condition, other than what I am doing. Read the forms through, more importantly read through the guides and take your time. You have a month to complete it.

Please do not lose hope, there are many success stories that happen every day. The system is grossly unfair but with luck, knowledge, perseverance and sites like this one we can beat it.

I must point out that ATOS/DWP are under no obligation to gather reports from the claimant's medical advisors and it is uncommon for them to do so. Please don't rely upon them doing this, you should submit whatever evidence you have to support your claim.

Hi

I think the problem is when claimants have little or no medical evidence to support their claim then they can feel as though they are doomed. Additionally a letter of diagnosis in itself can be worthless. What we really need is a letter detailing all our limitations against the descriptors from a doctor. That would be worth having but how many GP's would be willing to do that? My GP said paying for a letter was pointless as in her experience Atos usually ignore it anyway.

My re-assessment is now in full flow and I doubt that Atos will write to my GP again and I have not much in the way of medical evidence as I do not see any consultants as my condition is managed via the GP. It is incurable and although I could supply a wealth of information via my medical records it is now old news and so I doubt it would have much sway. Atos only seem interested in the here and now it seems.

I am trying to be as informative and knowledgeable as I can but I must admit I wish I had far more to offer up. I have no scans, or recent x-rays. I see no social workers or support workers. The pain clinic and physios can do nothing for me and so I am pretty much on my own. A depressing and scary thought.

Hi its a transfer from Income Support Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disability Payment also I have High Rate DLA for Motability and Middle DLA Rate for care.I'm waiting on the form from DWP but they called me I asked them would they be contacting my Doctors Etc I was told they do not.Sad part is I have been told my remaining lung is now failing so I might not be around for them to harass me much longer.Is there no Humanity left in this Unelected Government Departments but any suggestions are welcome.I also got in touch with a Social worker for help as they had adapted my house for me so waiting to see how they can help also my Doctor has written a letter to send with this form well that is if they read it.I looked at the form for transfer on your site its sad its more confusing than any form I have had to deal with we must find a way to get ATOS out of our country as it [Mod Edit] citizens who are the weakest in our country.