pregnancy and ESA

i recently found out i am pregnant and have to go for an ESA medical. i am being transfereed as previously i claimed IB. when i originally filled in my ESA questionaire i wasnt pregnant and now am. Should i wait until the medical until i tell them i am pregnant or should i tell them at the medical? will it make a difference to my claim asbeing pregnant has worsened my condition.

many thanks

helen

joe bloggs wrote:

i recently found out i am pregnant and have to go for an ESA medical. i am being transfereed as previously i claimed IB. when i originally filled in my ESA questionaire i wasnt pregnant and now am. Should i wait until the medical until i tell them i am pregnant or should i tell them at the medical? will it make a difference to my claim asbeing pregnant has worsened my condition.

many thanks

helen

Hi JB,

I would inform them ASAP.

See Page 15, d, on exemptions through pregnancy of the Understanding ESA Guide, that can be accessed from here. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

bro58

many thanks for your reply. should i contact atos as well as the DWP and argue that i should be in an except group for the reasons given in the guides? ie it would pose a threat to my unborn child if i were found capable of work? what if they say i still have to go for medical. Can i refuse until my new circumstances are looked at?

many thanks

helen

joe bloggs wrote:

many thanks for your reply. should i contact atos as well as the DWP and argue that i should be in an except group for the reasons given in the guides? ie it would pose a threat to my unborn child if i were found capable of work? what if they say i still have to go for medical. Can i refuse until my new circumstances are looked at?

many thanks

helen

Hi JB,

You could contact ATOS/DWP, and state your argument.

However, I feel that you may need medical evidence from your G.P. etc, to back up said argument.

I would not refuse to attend a face to face medical, as you may be found fit for work immediately, and your benefit may cease as a result of failure to attend.

bro58

joe bloggs wrote:

many thanks for your reply. should i contact atos as well as the DWP and argue that i should be in an except group for the reasons given in the guides? ie it would pose a threat to my unborn child if i were found capable of work? what if they say i still have to go for medical. Can i refuse until my new circumstances are looked at?

many thanks

helen

Hi JB

In addition to what bro58 has said, you must say in detail exactly why being found capable of work would be a threat to your unborn child, and perhaps state what the likely consequences would be.

Good luck with your assessment - and with childbirth.

Derek