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Face to face assessment when in support group

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6 years 2 months ago #204472 by Janjay
Hello. My daughter has been on DLA and then in the ESA support group for 20 years, having first had problems in her teens.
She was transferred to the support group 4 years ago on the paper evidence, no medical assessment. However, having completed her new form, they have now called her for a face to face which is this Friday. We submitted all the same evidence and there is no improvement in her condition so why are we now having to do the f2f?
Is it just because everybody is or are they likely to be considering her for work?
Her condition is a genetic one which can only be managed, never cured but it is largely an invisible illness so there will be little for them to see other than her jejeunostomy. Her daily pain and severe fatigue will not be obvious, especially as she has spent years putting a brave face on!
Her assessment really rests on the fact that whatever she does once can't necessarily be repeated due to the pain and fatigue. So there will be nothing that can really be ascertained from a f2f.
As she has been on DLA and then in the support group, would the onus be on them to show there has been some significant improvement in her condition or can they just change their minds?
I would be grateful for any advice or suggestions anyone may have as I am basically terrified as to what may happen,especially as she is not good at talking about her illness. She always tries to put the best spin on things and doesn't really show the pain. This often happens when people have been dealing with things for a long time I think.
Sorry the message is so long.

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6 years 2 months ago #204491 by Gordon
Janjay

Maximus appear to be doing face to faces where ATOS had previously opted for a Paper Based Review, it could also be a result of changes to the DWP guidance that have occurred in the last year of so, especially if she qualified through the Substantial Risk Regulations last time.

You are not going to change the situation without the support of her GP, so I would advise you/her to talk to them to see what support they are willing to provide, once you have an understanding of this then you can consider what options you have.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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6 years 2 months ago #204508 by Janjay
Thank you Gordon. She qualified on points last time and we have letters from her consultant and other referrals. I just wonder why the face to face this time unless, as you say, it is simply Maximus. My worry is that there is largely nothing they can actually see so it is really a waste of time but may tip things in the wrong direction.
I take it then that they dont have to justify removing someone from the support group when there has been no improvement from last time?
Would they do a face to face if they were thinking of putting someone in the group that won't have to keep going for assessments do you think? Or is that just wishful thinking on my part!!
I know these are questions with no definite answers I am just hoping to draw on your and others experience to get some kind of clue as to what may be going on.

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6 years 2 months ago #204517 by Silvia
I can only echo Gordon's advice.
When attending face to face interviews provide the medical professional with as much support from Doctors and Specialist Nurses as you can and always take copies as they lost all my evidence!
I was told my GP had not responded to the request for medical history and the letter from my specialist nurse was not added to my file so basically there was no evidence about my medical condition.
Once the assessor read the letter from my MS Nurse he apologised to me for having to attend and I remain in the support group.
So gather as much written,up to date evidence as you can .
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6 years 2 months ago #204540 by Gordon

Janjay wrote: Thank you Gordon. She qualified on points last time and we have letters from her consultant and other referrals. I just wonder why the face to face this time unless, as you say, it is simply Maximus. My worry is that there is largely nothing they can actually see so it is really a waste of time but may tip things in the wrong direction.
I take it then that they dont have to justify removing someone from the support group when there has been no improvement from last time?
Would they do a face to face if they were thinking of putting someone in the group that won't have to keep going for assessments do you think? Or is that just wishful thinking on my part!!
I know these are questions with no definite answers I am just hoping to draw on your and others experience to get some kind of clue as to what may be going on.


The only criteria used to decide whether a face to face is required is whether there is sufficient information to write a report based on the information already available. A F2F is most certainly not done because there of any intention to find the claimant Fit for Work.

Gordon

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

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6 years 2 months ago #204568 by sally-jane
Replied by sally-jane on topic Face to face assessment when in support group
Just as an aside I may have read it wrong but.
You say 'was on DLA then in SG of ESA.
DLA and ESA are 2 different benefits and one does not move from one to the other.
I hope you have not somehow stopped your DLA (now PIP) thinking ESA replaced it.
She very well may be eligible for both.
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