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Telephone ESA assessment went poorly
- Blissfulblues
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4 years 5 months ago #253850 by Blissfulblues
Telephone ESA assessment went poorly was created by Blissfulblues
Hi everyone,
My brother's telephone assessment was today. I was on the call. Unfortunately because of his mental health being so poor he was finding it difficult to think clearly and remember information to answer questions even with notes. I tried to interject where I could but that wasn't much. It got suspended after 20 minutes because they said it was obvious he was struggling and they weren't a bit able to get the information they needed. So instead they're recommending he come in for a face to face instead when it's safe. They said his benefits would remain the same until then. Should we worry?
My brother's telephone assessment was today. I was on the call. Unfortunately because of his mental health being so poor he was finding it difficult to think clearly and remember information to answer questions even with notes. I tried to interject where I could but that wasn't much. It got suspended after 20 minutes because they said it was obvious he was struggling and they weren't a bit able to get the information they needed. So instead they're recommending he come in for a face to face instead when it's safe. They said his benefits would remain the same until then. Should we worry?
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- BIS
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4 years 5 months ago #253852 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Telephone ESA assessment went poorly
Hi Blissfulblues
I'm sorry that your brother was not well enough to take part in the assessment. I know this must be worrying to you, but the assessors are supposed to stop if a claimant is not able to take part because of their illness. You can ring the DWP in a few days and confirm that they have been informed of what happened and they will leave it until face to face assessments resume. Obviously, this is not going to be for some time. And you can confirm that his money will continue to be paid - which is what normally happens.
Another thing you could try when the papers are back with the DWP whether they would consider doing a paper-based assessment. If they say no ask for a call back from a manager (you are entitled to do that). You might be able to argue that the stress of waiting for a face to face is going to cause your brother even more stress and cause a deterioration in his mental health. (Only you know if that is possible). They may say they don't have enough evidence for paper-based in which case you ask what they need and see whether you could provide it.
BIS
I'm sorry that your brother was not well enough to take part in the assessment. I know this must be worrying to you, but the assessors are supposed to stop if a claimant is not able to take part because of their illness. You can ring the DWP in a few days and confirm that they have been informed of what happened and they will leave it until face to face assessments resume. Obviously, this is not going to be for some time. And you can confirm that his money will continue to be paid - which is what normally happens.
Another thing you could try when the papers are back with the DWP whether they would consider doing a paper-based assessment. If they say no ask for a call back from a manager (you are entitled to do that). You might be able to argue that the stress of waiting for a face to face is going to cause your brother even more stress and cause a deterioration in his mental health. (Only you know if that is possible). They may say they don't have enough evidence for paper-based in which case you ask what they need and see whether you could provide it.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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