ESA stopped but can work within 3 months

Hi Stevec

If you look at page 50 of the Lima WCA technical guide, which you can find here , you will see that the options are 3, 6, 12 or 18 months. There isn't an 'immediately' option.

Rachel, I wasn't aware of the 'within' part of the sentence when I wrote yesterday's post.

Still, it's an unclear and nonsensical prognosis that suggests that the HCP is not sure if or when you will be fit for work. If somebody brakes their arm and asks the doctor at A&E when he's likely to return to work, the answer could well be, within three months!

Regards

Derek

Sorry Derek, I was doing it from memory, my fault!

That's OK Rachel, I hadn't noticed the significance of the word on my report either.

There are two ways of reading it. Either the HCP has decided that you are fit for work today and today falls within three months (in which case the HCP could say within 10 years and it would have the same meaning), or the HCP could feel that you will be fit for work in the next three months but is unable to say that you are fit now, implying that you are not fit for work.

It could even mean that you can consider work within three months but not after that date, by which time the stress of the appeal will have brought back your illness.

I like your last explanation best!

The return to work time scale has nothing to do with whether the benefit is stopped. I had 'return to work within 3 months' on my first medical and awarded ESA but had to attended another medical 3 months later. Good luck with your appeal.