ESA medical 2 wks before benefit ends

I'm wondering if anyone else is affected by this? I have recently been notified that my contribution based ESA is finishing on April 30th due to me receiving it for 12 months. Hard enough news as it is and I am unable to receive any more help due to my husband working for 24 hours a week at minimum wage!
Then to my utter surprise I have just received a letter inviting me to another ATOS medical. I have been told by DWP that I have to attend, inspite of my benefit ending 2 weeks later.
It feels so unfair and my health has been worse of late and so the extra stress of having to undergo another medical designed to catch you out is difficult!

I have read on other posts about DWP normally sending out an ESA50 to complete before the medical is requested. I have not been sent one, the last one I completed was 6 months ago. Is this correct and what I should then be expecting?

Hi Emma

Did the ESA50 you completed six months ago result in a face-to-face assessment or decision?

I'm just wondering if, due to a backlog, it's taken six months to arrange an assessment?

Derek

Hi Derek

The ESA50 I completed 6 months ago came 5 months after going to a Tribunal to win my appeal. I went from 0-18 points there. As you can imagine it was very stressful completing another ESA50 so soon after winning the Tribunal. I completed it with help from my local CAB and never heard anything else and my benefit continued to be paid.
I have heard nothing, apart from the telephone call to say my benefit will end in April until receiving the ATOS letter this weekend.

When I asked the DWP why I would be subject to a medical they just said for some people their dates are so near April and technically because my claim is still 'live' until then I would need to attend or my benefit would stop.

Clearly, it is up to you whether you wish to attend or risk losing the last 2 weeks money. However, if you want to continue claiming NI credits or 'hope' to qualify for the support group in the future, you would need to attend and also submit to regular reassessments in the future.

Would it be normal for there to be a six month gap between completing an ESA50 and being called for a medical?

Hi Emma

It's not normal (as far as I know) for a six month gap between ESA50 and face-to-face, but it does appear to have taken six months on the face of it.

Bear in mind that if you condition has changed since the ESA50 you need to be clear about it at the assessment. You can also send or take with you, more up-to-date medical evidence should you have any.

Good luck

Derek