ESA for mental health reassessment

Still no word. In the meantime one of my medications, the dose has been tripled since I posted off the form to ATOS, but I suppose there is no way of getting this information to them now? (If indeed it would make any real difference).

ka wrote: Still no word. In the meantime one of my medications, the dose has been tripled since I posted off the form to ATOS, but I suppose there is no way of getting this information to them now? (If indeed it would make any real difference).

Hi k,

I am sorry to read that you have had to increase your medication.

You could write and inform ATOS of the above, especially if it is due to a deterioration in your health, you should also mention any added side effects that you may be experiencing.

You could send a letter to ATOS at the same address as the ESA50 went to, and include a copy of the ammended prescription.

You could also copy the DWP in on this.

bro58

OK, here is an update.

Bro, I took your advice and wrote a 1 page letter to the Atos Medical Services address for my area (the same address I sent my ESA50 to), just saying that since I had sent off the ESA50, health had deteriorated resulting in increase in medication. I included a repeat prescription form as evidence. I think I sent this off xmas eve, anyway, it has gone, not recorded but 1st class with proof of postage.

In the meantime I have received my subject access request for my DLA claim. I was disappointed with the very small amount of information my GP provided; perhaps if he had been more thorough I may have got middle rate care. Anyway, it made for some interesting reading, and the point my GP did make in the report does not seem to have been considered by the DM anyway.

I still haven't received my subject access request for my last ESA decision. I called them up today to chase this, they've no record of me calling up asking for it or the letter I sent (surprise surprise). I also mentioned that I hadn't heard anything from my ESA50 and they said they would chase this up (I'm not sure this is a good thing though I'm a bit worried about having mentioned it now, I only wanted to know if there was anything back from ATOS not for them to actively chase it up - some reassurance here that me chasing it up isn't detrimental to my claim would be appreciated). Anyway, getting an outcome would be good sitting waiting isn't healthy anyway and it's been a good couple of months now.

ka wrote: OK, here is an update.

Bro, I took your advice and wrote a 1 page letter to the Atos Medical Services address for my area (the same address I sent my ESA50 to), just saying that since I had sent off the ESA50, health had deteriorated resulting in increase in medication. I included a repeat prescription form as evidence. I think I sent this off xmas eve, anyway, it has gone, not recorded but 1st class with proof of postage.

In the meantime I have received my subject access request for my DLA claim. I was disappointed with the very small amount of information my GP provided; perhaps if he had been more thorough I may have got middle rate care. Anyway, it made for some interesting reading, and the point my GP did make in the report does not seem to have been considered by the DM anyway.

I still haven't received my subject access request for my last ESA decision. I called them up today to chase this, they've no record of me calling up asking for it or the letter I sent (surprise surprise). I also mentioned that I hadn't heard anything from my ESA50 and they said they would chase this up (I'm not sure this is a good thing though I'm a bit worried about having mentioned it now, I only wanted to know if there was anything back from ATOS not for them to actively chase it up - some reassurance here that me chasing it up isn't detrimental to my claim would be appreciated). Anyway, getting an outcome would be good sitting waiting isn't healthy anyway and it's been a good couple of months now.

Hi k,

Chasing up on information regarding the outcome of your ESA WCA should not have any effect on the DM's decision.

bro58

Looks like the chasing up may have done some good. Brown envelope with the ESA72 arrived this morning - support group until November (by which point I hope to be well enough to return to my studies). This is excellent news, without a medical too!

What is odd is on the ESA72 the WRAG grouped has been ticked by the computer, and that has been tip exed out and a tick made with pen in the support group box. Anyway, I yesterday received a letter from DWP about change of rates of ESA following a recent change and it is support group rate, and is dated same as ESA72 (I have received these letters sporadically so did not think at the time it was related to this WCA). Anyway, looks like I've definitely been support grouped.

So that is the end of the saga for now. Have sent via recorded delivery today a Subject Access Request for this decision and the previous one, saying I still had not heard from my SAR dated x November 2012 so I am making a new one to cover both decisions.

Thanks to everyone on the forum who has helped support me and offer advice and guidance. Nice to know I am not alone and that there is help out there, and I have found the advice offered on these forums very helpful.