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ESA assessment at home

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6 years 10 months ago #189358 by Sam
ESA assessment at home was created by Sam
Hello folks,
I know it gets asked a lot but I have a face to face assessment at home coming up in just over a week about my ESA claim, I am currently in the Support Group.
I've read the questions you're likely to be asked in the claims guide here which have been a huge help, thank you to all responsible.

But are there any general tips for a home assessment? Things to do or not do? I've read of people suggesting to "look the part" i.e resit the urge to look too presentable, as some assessors act like illness has a uniform, which sounds ridiculous. Things like that, little tips to help balance the odds out.

I suffer badly with anxiety and am absolutely terrified of this face to face, my mind easily blanks when my nerves kick off and I'm scared I'll be lead in to answering things the way "they" want me to.

I've been told it's a Doctor carrying out the assessment, am I right to feel a little better that it's a doctor vs say a nurse? Or doesn't it matter seeing as they're all just ticking boxes on a computer?

This whole re-assessment process has been drawn out for over 8 months now and I'm really tired of all the stress and uncertainty it's caused. It's felt like this site has had my back and I wanted to thank you all. :)

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6 years 10 months ago #189372 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA assessment at home
Sam

Yes it is a positive thing to have a doctor doing your assessment.

As to advice, hopefully other members will respond as well.

- if at all possible have someone with you at the assessment even if it is just for moral support.

- don't change anything just because you have an assessment, if you don't dress at home then don't feel you have to, same for washing, etc.

- don't clear up if you wouldn't normally, they are assessing you not where you live.

- be aware that they will be observing you from the moment they arrive to the minute they leave

- take your time to answer the question, try and understand what they are asking, they tend to ask a couple of open questions and then a closed one, it is the closed one that will determine what they put in their report.

- don't bother planning how you will handle the assessment, my "cunning" plans for these events have never lasted more than a couple of minutes.

Best of luck

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sam, ivyfox

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6 years 9 months ago #190050 by Sam
Replied by Sam on topic ESA assessment at home
I had my assessment today, the doctor was nice and friendly (as they always are). As Gordon said any plans I had went straight out the window, it was like I was on auto-pilot.

The number one thing I'd suggest to anyone going in to this is to read and re-read what you put on your ESA50 form, the Dr asked about and used the examples I had given to question me or really just confirm what I said. It was done on paper with the Dr writing things down in sheets with empty boxes and very little printed text. No computer was used so I don't know if that will help me or not.

The usual statement about not being able to give a decision right now and it was down to the DWP to decide and they'd be in touch was given at the end despite me not asking.

So now it's back to dreading the postman and the brown envelope :( From reading the forum it looks like that usually takes about 4-5 weeks, is that right?

I've no idea how it all went, I think they're in the game of making you think it went well regardless of whether it did or not. As we all know things rarely go the right way when dealing with the DWP, you can only hope. Full of dread for the outcome but fingers crossed.

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6 years 9 months ago #190065 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA assessment at home
Sam

Well at least it's over. ESA Decisions seem to be taking about 2-4 weeks at the moment.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sam

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6 years 8 months ago #191959 by Sam
Replied by Sam on topic ESA assessment at home
Well I've got my decision and I've been moved from SG to WRAG :(
I don't think the decision is correct and intend to ask for a mandatory reconsideration but right now I'm terrified of what this means and how it's going to affect me in terms of the lesser payments I'll get.

Do I now have to attend the Job Centre?

No appointment was give, unless that comes separately? The letter states "There is support available to help you get into work when you're able to in the future ..... Please speak to your work coach to find out how we can help you" But no info on the Job Coach.

What happens next?
Is there a time limit on how long you can be in WRAG? I think I've read 2 years.

In asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration is there a template letter or guide I can use? What should I ask for in terms of an explanation of their decision and points I was awarded?

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6 years 8 months ago #192008 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA assessment at home
Sam

Sorry to hear this.

You may have to attend at your local JC+ office, it will be down to your JC+ advisor to decide what activities they want you to be involved in, they must take your stated limitations into account when doing this, but they have no access to your medical information, so you will need to bring them up to speed about your problems.

You remain in the WRAG as long as you continue to meet the criteria. If you are receiving ESA(CB) then your payments will be limited to 365 days, however, if you are also eligible for ESA(IR) then your payments will continue.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our ESA MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the ESA area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1

You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;

"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"

than their opinions

"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.

When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sam

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