× Members

Confused, why a face to face this time ?

More
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago #105356 by Evelyn
Hi, after sending in the ESA50 form, now have an appointment for Friday next week at a centre I am familiar (been there before while on IB so did not feel too bad). But now finding it very difficult to cope with just the thought of going through the assessment, as they had given me a date my friend is not able to accompany me (I had put a date that my friend will not be able to accompany me afterwards). I had to go to the gp for something to calm me down as I was feeling sick with anxiety.
I do not feel able to go through with it so thought I would just tell them to do what they have to do but friends kept encouraging me to go' as there is nothing to lose'.
Any suggestions?
Can't understand previously did not call for medical and this time being called - did I do anything wrong?
Evelyn
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by bro58.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • bro58
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago #105366 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Confused, why a face to face this time ?

Evelyn wrote: Hi, after sending in the ESA50 form, now have an appointment for Friday next week at a centre I am familiar (been there before while on IB so did not feel too bad). But now finding it very difficult to cope with just the thought of going through the assessment, as they had given me a date my friend is not able to accompany me (I had put a date that my friend will not be able to accompany me afterwards). I had to go to the gp for something to calm me down as I was feeling sick with anxiety.
I do not feel able to go through with it so thought I would just tell them to do what they have to do but friends kept encouraging me to go' as there is nothing to lose'.
Any suggestions?
Can't understand previously did not call for medical and this time being called - did I do anything wrong?
Evelyn


Hi E,

I cannot give a definitive answer as to why ATOS deem that you need a face to face assessment this time.

ATOS are supposed to consider whether the claimant has provided enough evidence within The ESA50 and any add-ons to carry out a paper assessment.

You are allowed to rearrange once. You would have to contact ATOS to arrange this.

See contact details on the right, here, under :

"ESA/WCA Customer Service:"

Here :

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

If you really feel that you can't attend, you should discuss this with ATOS, they will probably request that your G.P. Faxes them regarding reasons why you cannot attend.

Sometimes face to face appointments are made before the ATOS HCP has read your ESA50, this may be a possibility, and worth investigation.

Unless you can obtain written confirmation that you do not have to attend, you must do so, or face losing your benefit.

Further ATOS Contact Details :

Phone : 0113 230 9175. Or E-Mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See also : ESA Medical – What to expect

Good luck, please keep us updated. :)

bro58
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by bro58.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago #105912 by Evelyn
Replied by Evelyn on topic Confused, why a face to face this time ?
Hi, I need to find more supporting letters and will get one from my therapist.

However I have a friend (who was to be the one accompanying me to the assessment but cannot go due to ATOS not giving the dates that I requested) who is very concerned with the assessment as I will be taking a person who does not know me very well but willing to accompany me to support me emotionally.

My original companion now says she wants to write a letter to ATOS for me to take to the assessment as another supporting evidence. I am not sure if it would help as she has retired from her job which has nothing to do with carer or health support.

I am writing this as she has asks me to ask you if you could give a few pointers about how she should word her letter (she has never written anything like this before) and does not want to make it worse for me.
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by Gordon.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • bro58
10 years 9 months ago #105914 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Confused, why a face to face this time ?

Evelyn wrote: Hi, I need to find more supporting letters and will get one from my therapist.

However I have a friend (who was to be the one accompanying me to the assessment but cannot go due to ATOS not giving the dates that I requested) who is very concerned with the assessment as I will be taking a person who does not know me very well but willing to accompany me to support me emotionally.

My original companion now says she wants to write a letter to ATOS for me to take to the assessment as another supporting evidence. I am not sure if it would help as she has retired from her job which has nothing to do with carer or health support.

I am writing this as she has asks me to ask you if you could give a few pointers about how she should word her letter (she has never written anything like this before) and does not want to make it worse for me.


Hi E,

Letters of support from a carer, friend, relative or someone who witnesses how the limitations caused by your medical condition affects you on a daily basis "May" be helpful, and should be taken into account.

It is the limitations that you suffer that should be referenced.

e.g. xxx has mobility problems, in that xxxxxx xxxxx, because of these limitations, I do any shopping that is necessary and deliver it to their home. Once in their home, I also put their shopping away, as they have problems with dexterity and reaching, etc, etc, etc.

The above may not be at all pertinent to your limitations, but are purely examples to give you some idea.

You could give any such letter of support to The ATOS HCP before the assessment begins, they are supposed to read any additional evidence presented by the claimant. Whether they will is a different matter.

You could also post a copy to The DWP ESA Decision Maker to make sure that they see it before making a decision.

You could address this FAO ESA Decision Maker, at the address of the DWP office that is dealing with your ESA.

As with any additional evidence put your Name, DOB, and NI Number on any pages as a reference. Obviously, your friend would have to supply their own name and address on the letter also.

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

bro58

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
10 years 9 months ago #105915 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Confused, why a face to face this time ?

Evelyn wrote: Hi, I need to find more supporting letters and will get one from my therapist.

However I have a friend (who was to be the one accompanying me to the assessment but cannot go due to ATOS not giving the dates that I requested) who is very concerned with the assessment as I will be taking a person who does not know me very well but willing to accompany me to support me emotionally.

My original companion now says she wants to write a letter to ATOS for me to take to the assessment as another supporting evidence. I am not sure if it would help as she has retired from her job which has nothing to do with carer or health support.

I am writing this as she has asks me to ask you if you could give a few pointers about how she should word her letter (she has never written anything like this before) and does not want to make it worse for me.


Testimony from friends and relatives can be supportive of your claim

First she needs to explain the relationship between you, how often she sees you and under what circumstances they see you.

Someone who sees you frequently will have carry more weight than someone you see infrequently.

Someone who sees you in situations where you are limited by your condition(s) will have more authority who sees you when you are not affected.

As always, testimony that relates to the ESA descriptors will serve you better then more general statements.

Be careful not to put words in to your friends mouth, if it is suspected that you hav,e then the evidence will be discounted.

Gordon

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

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago #105995 by Evelyn
Replied by Evelyn on topic Confused, why a face to face this time ?
Hi, I have finally got a supporting letter from a friend of mine (the one who was able to go with me to any assessment if it is before a certain date) and a letter from my therapist who had to have help to do it and they have both sent the letters to me telling me to check if they had done it in a helpful way. let me say that the contents are true but put in their own words.

I still have doubts and still very anxious and the medical is beginning of next month.

I would be happier if someone could check them for me and to see that nothing is obviously detrimental to me. Or is this not possible?
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by Gordon.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: bro58GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.