Passed IB to ESA without medical!

On Friday I got the shock of my life when my relsuts to my ESA application form dropped onto my door mate. I couldn't belive that they'd passed me without even having a medical.

I'm so, so grateful to this site in giving me access to the best advide and support out on the net. I don't know what I would have done without this place, I really, really don't.

The only thing is I was so convinced that I would fail that I have no idea what happens now. I do know that I have to attend work focused interviews once a month for 6 months, but my condition means that walking and sitting is very unpleasant for me, and can end up having a bad knock on affect on my pain levels, so Is It possible to ask for these interviews to be conducted over the phone as I remember reading on here somewhere?

Also I have no idea how long this award is for before I have to attend a new medical. I know these days that the longest seems to be a year, but for all I know I'll end up receiving a new form the minute I finish these interviews. How do I go about getting that information?

Thanks again to everybody on this site. Joining this place is the wisest thing that I've done in a long time.

Yes, you can ask for the interviews to be conducted over the phone, but you cannot insist upon it, it is at the interviewer's discretion.

Would they have access to my ESA info because details of how badly my illness effects me will be on that. Also any idea how long it will be before I have to start them?

Also how do I go about finding out how long this award is for?

Just a thought!! If you had gone for a medical etc would you have expected to have been placed into the support group or work related group? I am wondering if DWP are making decisions without medicals and putting people in the work related group and hoping that they are just so grateful to have not required a medical that they accept the decision. It really makes me wonder if this is a cop out to keep the support group numbers to an absolute minimum, or am i being cynical?!!!!

Mm xx

Just Me wrote:

On Friday I got the shock of my life when my relsuts to my ESA application form dropped onto my door mate. I couldn't belive that they'd passed me without even having a medical.

I'm so, so grateful to this site in giving me access to the best advide and support out on the net. I don't know what I would have done without this place, I really, really don't.

The only thing is I was so convinced that I would fail that I have no idea what happens now. I do know that I have to attend work focused interviews once a month for 6 months, but my condition means that walking and sitting is very unpleasant for me, and can end up having a bad knock on affect on my pain levels, so Is It possible to ask for these interviews to be conducted over the phone as I remember reading on here somewhere?

Also I have no idea how long this award is for before I have to attend a new medical. I know these days that the longest seems to be a year, but for all I know I'll end up receiving a new form the minute I finish these interviews. How do I go about getting that information?

Thanks again to everybody on this site. Joining this place is the wisest thing that I've done in a long time.

Hi JM,

As Survivor correctly states, you can request that the WFI is done over the phone.

You could also make a request that the WFI's are deferred due to your condition, or sometimes they will come to your home to carry out the WFI.

It would be helpful to back up any such request with a letter of support from your G.P. or other HCP that cares for you.

However, again as Survivor states, they do not have to grant your request.

If you have to attend, may it clear to the interviewer, how painful and distressing that it has been for you to get there.

Draw attention to the fact that you did not have to attend a face to face assessment.

If you really feel that you should have been put into the Support Group, rather than the WRAG, you could appeal the decision, by filling in a GL24 appeals form, and returning it to the DWP office, within a month of you receiving your current decision, preferably by recorded delivery post, keeping copy.

You would automatically receive a reconsideration, before your appeal was sent forward to the Tribunal stage, and your benefit would remain the same, i.e. WRAG rate.

If you wish to consider this option, have a look in the orange MEMBERS ONLY area on the left, at the ESA Resources section, it covers appeals there, and you can download a copy of a GL24 also if needed.

Regarding finding out how long it will be before you are re-assessed, you should make a written request for your ESA85A, to the ESA Decision Maker, based at your local benefits office,at the address on your letter of award.(Keep Copy)

On the ESA85A you will see a "Prognosis" this will give you an idea of your expected review date.

Hope this helps

bro58