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DWP phone call re ESA assessment

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6 years 10 months ago #188346 by Gaddy
DWP phone call re ESA assessment was created by Gaddy
Hello,
Just wondered if any one else has had the same experience as me with contact from the DWP!
Started when I did not answer a call from an unknown number, then received a text saying will ring following day to discuss ESA assessment which they did. Then told they would ring the following day to give me the result, if I didn't answer they would make their decision anyway.
So I answered the call the following morning and was told by a decision maker I had been awarded 0 points. Was not surprised, same thing happened 3 years ago and I appealed and gained 27 points. A summary was read out and immediately I disputed more or less all the statements, many statements were pure fabrication as those particular questions were not even asked. No mention of the 10 minutes the Assessor spent asking about my state of mind and saying he was so concerned he wanted to ring my GP. Apparently he needed my permission to do so and as I was in such a state I did not answer him. At the end of the telephone call the decision maker said she would give me 3 weeks to submit further evidence and then make a decision. Is this now common practice, always just got a letter saying I have gained 0 points in the past. So am aiming to get an emergency appointment with GP and dispute the decision. Have received the written summary today and cannot believe the out right lies and inaccuracies that are stated as fact! Even got the type of accommodation I live in wrong and dosage of medication so it is going to take a lot of work to contest the findings. The ESA50 form I completed has been totally ignored and over ridden by a 30 minute assessment by an incompetent Dr( and he is a doctor which makes it worse) Any comments much appreciated

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6 years 10 months ago #188382 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic DWP phone call re ESA assessment
S

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

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The call is not unusual for an ESA claim, but the request for extra evidence is.

For your GP letter to be effective they must directly address the issues you have with the ESA activities, a general statement of your medical conditions is unlikely to be of assistance nor will any statement that you are not fit for work.

Gordon

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

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6 years 10 months ago #188432 by Gaddy
Replied by Gaddy on topic DWP phone call re ESA assessment
Thank you for your response and information. The first challenge to overcome is actually getting an appointment with my GP, been told to ring again tomorrow. Seems I will have to offer to pay for any Medical evidence from my doctor as it will need to be specific rather than general outline of condition. Wondering if it would be appropriate to mention the 0 points to 27 at my last appeal with no change in my condition, in fact one aspect of it worse, when disputing all their findings?

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6 years 10 months ago #188488 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic DWP phone call re ESA assessment
Gaddy

It can't hurt to result the Tribunal result but I would expect the DWP to reply that this is an assessment of your problems now, so you would need to show the relevance to how you are now.

Gordon

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

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6 years 10 months ago #188492 by Gaddy
Replied by Gaddy on topic DWP phone call re ESA assessment
Gordon

Thank you for your view on quoting the previous appeal success. Will mention as a closing paragraph. Am wondering if that is the reason they have given me the extra time to dispute their findings and provide medical support before they go ahead with what is probably the inevitable nil points! Will update with the result of this unusual situation for other members info.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon

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6 years 9 months ago #190140 by Gaddy
Replied by Gaddy on topic DWP phone call re ESA assessment
Hello All
An update on my original post re the DWP phone call and submitting further evidence. I sent a GP letter and letter of support from my neighbour along with my own letter contesting the findings of the f2f and received the brown envelope in Saturdays post. They increased my points to 9 from 0 but obviously this has resulted in being found fit for work.
I have spent the bank holiday weekend composing another letter for the MR and phoned early this morning to lodge it over the telephone. I was told after my details were taken that I would hear back from the relevant department within 24 hours. No phone call so far. However I sent
the written MR request with another supporting statement from a friend recorded delivery this
morning. I do not feel there is any more evidence I can provide at this stage.
I have also contacted my council about my Housing Benefit claim which I obviously need to keep open whilst the MR is going on. My first call was dealt with possibly by the rudest person on the planet who told me that no way would they keep paying me whilst this was going on!
On advice from Mind who confirmed this is incorrect I called again and spoke to possibly the 2nd rudest person on the planet but who did finally admit this was incorrect . Having taken my details she then told me I would have to call again when they send the letter telling me there is a change in my circumstances.

All this going on with little hope of a change of award whilst I have to face moving from my home of 22 years at the weekend after my landlord gave me notice to quit the same week as my f2f and my father passing away 2 weeks ago. We were estranged for many years so its complicated and I think will need to revisit my feelings on that once the rest of my life is on a more even keel.

So I would say a phone call from the DWP before the decision letter is an opportunity to change things in your favour if you treat it like an MR but sadly didn't fully do the job for me!

Will update again once I get the MR decision but am expecting to have to go to tribunal as I have done previously and won, that time I was given 0 points but awarded 27.

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