answering dwp phone call

Karlo wrote:

Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

pjd, you can download an interactive copy of the ESA50 and make a start to give you more time.

www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/...lasset/dg_195544.pdf

Good advice MHB and K,

From earlier tonight : www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=94465#94467

bro58

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I guess Ive just heard so much bad stuff about the dwp and atos, that I thought the phone call would be treated like a test, and that they are checking on your verbal skills and possibly your ability to use your hands etc, and Im just not upto it. I would only get the phone call though if I phone them first to tell them my tel. number has changed so I guess I have to decide whether to call them or leave it alone.

Another quick question regarding support letters. I mistakingly thought I would receive my esa back in july, and subsequently got a support letter from my consultant, but I am now concerned that they are 'out of date' - does anyone know if this is true or should I be asking my doctors for a more uptodate one?

Thanks.

July does not seem out of date as long as it is July 2012 and relevant to ESA50 descriptors.

Personally i would send everything even if it was a couple of years old to prove that you do have limitations and they do have an impact on your daily abilities.

Radhika.

Hi,

Can you tell me if its best to get an uptodate support letter from my consultant?. I thought I was being reviewed early in the year, so my consultant did a letter for me but it was not as descriptive as I had hoped. (now 5 mths old

Also Im not sure whether its worthwhile sending it in as it makes no reference to the esa descriptors. Just says mostly that' I severely affected by CFS and has significant difficulties with all activities of daily living and requires fairly total care from my family, and that no treatments to date has made any significant recovery or remission.'

Is this any good or do I need something more detailed.

Any advice much appreciated.

We always recommend getting up-to-date evidence wherever possible. Ideally, this should directly reference the descriptors - after all, we don'twant to overwork the assessor's brain, do we? However, your consultant's letter sounds very supportive, especially if you can find a way to tie what has been said in with the descriptors yourself.

It is not possible to say how old is 'too old' - personally I would feel that 5 months should be OK, but other views may differ.

Thanks mrshurtyback,

Its really difficult to know the right way to do things, isn't it. Its whole things driving me crazy, ha.

I was also worried because I wasn't sure Id be able to get another letter in time before the esa form goes out. Do you really think the letter sounds supportive, and how would I tie into the esa descriptors etc.?

Sorry if Im being a bit dim.