ESA50 03/11 Questionnaire

Last October I was placed in the Support Group by a tribunal judge. (schedule 2 – 21 (b) and schedule 3 - 11 (c). The DWP then placed me in the WRAG due to a ‘typo’ error. It then took from 13.10.11 to 21.11.11 for this to be corrected.

I have now received another ESA50 which needs to be submitted by 02.04.12. The questionnaire states that any medical reports may also be enclosed. I have just been phoned by my consultant’s secretary to tell me that today’s appointment is cancelled due to her illness. The appointment will be re-arranged but it could be 2-3 months before this happens. I have tried to make an appointment with my doctor only to be told he is away from work on long-term illness. I have made an appointment with another doctor, who doesn’t really know me for 20.03.12. I therefore have no chance of obtaining a medical report at the moment from these two people.

When I first received the ESA50, I felt there was little point in submitting any medical reports as my experience is that the application would be turned down out of hand anyway (I received 0 points last year from the ESA questionnaire and Atos medical examination and there was no change in the ‘look again’ process).

Therefore:

Will it significantly reduce my chances of success by not submitting a medical report? (This literally cannot be done in time and many medical professionals will not do this upon patient request but only as a formal request from Atos/DWP for which they will receive a payment).

Secondly there is no guidance as to the required content for such reports. What is the point of a consultant/doctor producing something only to be told that it fails to address some of the areas Atos/DWP need to make a decision?

Surely Atos/DWP will contact my consultant, doctor, support worker I name on the questionnaire for any medical reports – particularly if I state that any reports can be obtained directly from them.

This was the worst period of my life last time round. I have never known stress like it. From receipt of the letter on Saturday this has had a profound effect on me again. To add to the above, my support worker has missed 3 of our 8 appointments since being assigned to me in January. I have been unable to rouse Welfare Rights at all. My wife is receiving carer support but this is on a 1 month to 6 week meeting basis.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks ….. Stanley

Hi Stanley

There is detailed advice in the ESA claim guide covering medical evidence and how/when to send it.

It's not always possible to send medical reports with the questionnaire but you can submit them later or at a face-to-face.

You can also request that Atos/DWP obtain the reports on your behalf, but there is no guarantee that they will do this and no way of knowing how helpful or relevant the report will be.

Please take a look at the ESA claims guide regarding submitting medical evidence.

Good luck

Derek