Esa for Fibromyalgia

Bill24chev wrote:
Has it changed from ESA85 (or ESA85a when no FtF carried out)?

No it's a spelling mistake

Els wrote: Hi
I received my letter today and am pretty upset. The assesor has lied about what he asked me to do in the assessment. He said he asked me to crouch down to the floor and get back up again - he didn't ask me to do that. He also stated that he asked me to put my arms up behind my neck - he didn't ask that either. He also refers to me as a he when he explains how I did it. I am completely shocked that these things have been said as they did not happen. Have you heard of this before? I have requested an appointment at my local citizens advice branch and have highlighted the false information and have also added factors that were not taken into consideration. The assesor kept asking me if I was in pain when doing certain things i.e walking up the stairs, lifting a pint of milk, I said I was but There was no mention of me being in pain for anything, other than that I had limited movement in my hip and pain in my lower limbs. How did I crouch to the floor and get straight back up again when I have limited movement and pain in my lower limbs? I would've refused because I would have known I wouldn't have got back up again without an aid from a table or a person. Like I refused to twist my hips when lying on the couch because I knew the pain it would cause.
I'm so disheartened, they need to record these assessments so the decisions maker can see and hear it all.

I'm afraid it is not unusual to see these types of mistake in the assessment report.

Although they can be extremely frustrating, your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria for an award, I'm not saying to ignore the report but you should deal with it as a secondary activity and try and stick to issues that are specifically related to you scoring points or not.

Els wrote: Shall I dispute what they are saying or more trying to convince them I am unable to work?
Surely if I don't dispute what he has said they will take his word for all of it.
I'm also reluctant as I see it as someone trying to claim benefits against a 'medical professional'
What should I be asking the Citizens advice bureau to do? Shall I send in a letter with more information and disputing it when I ask for a MR?
Sorry to ask so many questions. Thanks again for your help

I realise that this is counter intuitive but ESA does not test (directly) your ability to work, so arguing that you cannot, with the exception of the Substantial Risk Regulations, will not lead to award.

Also, raising issues with the report will at best lead to a new assessment. I'm not saying to ignore any significant issues that are in the report but the only way that you will receive an award is by your showing that you meet the criteria for one.

In other words concentrate on scoring points first and everything else second.

Gordon