Assessment out the blue

Hi Guys,

I hope someone will be able to help me. I was put into the support group in 2011 or 2012 following an appeal at Tribunal which I won.

In April of this year, I was awarded PIP, (higher rate, daily living, pus four points for mobility which has since improved) for three years. This was done purely on the paperwork, as my condition is quite well documented - I am on artificial nutrition (TPN) which means that for PIP purposes they were supposed to not need me to go for an assessment - there is a list of conditions where they are supposed to be able to easily do it on the paperwork - which is how it happened. After a lot of worry, it was quite straight forward in the end.

Now, I have received a letter out of the blue, headed Health Assessment Advisory Service and the only words with any kind of info are "We have been asked by the DWP to carry out an assessment in relation to your benefit claim. We have arranged an appointment for you at: (and it gives the details). It is important that you attend blah blah"

It goes on to say give us a call for problems with the appointments, and phone the DWP for other enquiries.

What is this assessment? And would I be able to ask for it to be done simply on the paperwork - I know the chapter and verse of the applicable statue, and now-a-days, there is an appropriate question on the ESA questionnaire, there never used to be hence my appeal that I won.

I think I may have filled in an ESA questionnaire a few months ago, but I had forgotten about that until I looked through my documents. I've been very ill, and had other things on my mind, which is probably why I have forgotten about it.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much.

I do have a copy of the ESA50.

How would I go about asking for a paper based assessment? Do I phone them or the DWP?

It's absolutely cut and dry - I can't eat without severe discomfort and vomiting. There is a wealth of paperwork making this plainly clear.

It could be that I didn't include the paperwork though - being so soon after being granted PIP for exactly the same reasons. They claim to look at these things, but it feels like they only take any note if they can trip you up with it.

It also says it included a leaflet about what to take to the meeting - but there definitely wasn't a leaflet enclosed. I do use certain aids. Is there an online copy of this leaflet? Or a leaflet code? Do I really need to take my urine stained bedside bottle with me?

So sorry if I appear a bit useless, but this has caught me by surprise and it's in a week.

Thanks again