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ESA home visit?

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6 years 2 months ago #204471 by Eleanor_Rigby
ESA home visit? was created by Eleanor_Rigby
I'm a long term benefits recipient currently in the support group, and I filled out my ESA50 form in early December.
I told them on the form that I'd need a home visit due to my anxiety, and to contact my GP if they needed additional information.

Of course, my request was ignored, and I received a letter today saying that I must attend an assessment centre in a nearby town.

The last time this happened, my GP wrote me a letter to send to them saying that I needed a home visit. A few weeks after, I receive a letter saying that I had been put in the WRAG. My mother (I have no other support) helped me with the mandatory reconsideration form and I was eventually put in the support group without an assessment.

That was four years ago and my depression and social anxiety has worsened since then, and I've also recently be diagnosed with Aspergers (high functioning Autism)

I know the process and outcome varies drastically each time, and I'm terrified I'll be forced to attend an assessment centre this time even if my doctor writes them a letter.

The last time I had a F2F was twelve years ago for incapacity benefit. My mother went with me, and the experience was dreadful, partly due to the appalling behaviour of the assessor. She was rude, abrupt and interrupted me a lot and then gave me 0 points! My money was stopped for several weeks before being reinstated, and I seriously considered committing suicide at that time.

I'm now not sure what course of action to take apart from asking my mum to phone them to cancel until I send them a doctors letter like I did last time.

Does anyone have any more suggestions about what else I should do?

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6 years 2 months ago #204487 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA home visit?
Eleanor

I'm afraid you are not going to get a Paper Based Review without significant input from your GP and if you have already been invited to an assessment then it will be down to you to source the information as the time has passed when Maximus is likely to contact them.

Cancelling the current appointment will not necessarily help as a new one will be booked and you will have no choice but to attend or risk your claim being closed.

I would start by contacting your GP to see what support they are willing to provide and then fo from there.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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6 years 2 months ago #204980 by hari om
Replied by hari om on topic ESA home visit?
Hi,I am in a similar situation regarding requesting a home assessment for esa.I am supposed to go for a ftof assessment at a centre quite far from me,even although I requested a home visit.I have got a support letter from my GP strongly urging a home assessment.I have sent that away and await the outcome.

George Marshall

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6 years 2 months ago #205063 by Eleanor_Rigby
Replied by Eleanor_Rigby on topic ESA home visit?
Thanks Gordon.

Just an update; I saw my GP yesterday and she said she would write me a letter to send to them regarding a home visit. I don't have the letter yet - it'll be ready to collect on Friday.

Today I received a letter from the assessment centre, and they said that I no longer needed an assessment! They don't even know about my doctors letter yet, and they haven't contacted my surgery for further information.

Is this normal, and does that mean that I'm still in the support group? They did tell me to contact my local job centre if I wanted to know why, but I haven't plucked up the courage yet!

Timmy, I hope you can get a home visit - I don't know if they can refuse. Wishing you luck. Do you have any other support?

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6 years 2 months ago #205090 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA home visit?
Eleanor

It is unusual for them to have done this but we have seen it before.

I'm afraid you cannot assume you remain in the SG, however, this does mean that you won't, all that no face to face means is that you cannot be found Fit for Work, I'm afraid you will have to wait for a Decision.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Eleanor_Rigby

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6 years 1 month ago #205578 by Eleanor_Rigby
Replied by Eleanor_Rigby on topic ESA home visit?
Universal credit is going to be rolled out in my area within the next two months, and that may have been why my assessment has been cancelled.

Will I have to apply for Universal credit, or will the DWP contact me?

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