gp

hi all hope you are ok. i got my esa migration letter and am awaiting the form. today i went to my gp to ask for a supporting letter, he didnt give me a letter but said he thinks i am too ill to have a medical, he said to write this when i get esa form and state that they can contact him to confirm this. do you think this would help my esa claim in any way and will i still have to have a medical. i have mental illness, i hear voices and have depression, with thanks.

lilliegez wrote:

hi all hope you are ok. i got my esa migration letter and am awaiting the form. today i went to my gp to ask for a supporting letter, he didnt give me a letter but said he thinks i am too ill to have a medical, he said to write this when i get esa form and state that they can contact him to confirm this. do you think this would help my esa claim in any way and will i still have to have a medical. i have mental illness, i hear voices and have depression, with thanks.

Hi l.

If your G.P. has stated that you should inform ATOS via the ESA50 that you should not be compelled to attend a face to face, then that is what you should do.

You could also invite them to contact your G.P. to confirm this, by sending him/her an : ESA 113 Questionnaire .

As you will see at Question 6, it asks whether you could attend a face to face or not. Hopefully if your G.P. answers "No" to this, giving reasons, ATOS will take notice.

Whether ATOS will take notice of your G.P.'s advice, is not really predictable.

As your migration process has now started you may wish to consider : Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst refering to the appropriate ESA Claims Guide, (mental or physical health conditions) which are the 3rd & 4th links down this page :

ESA Guides

With respect to the ESA50, see :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

As you will see, you will only have 4 weeks to fill in and return the ESA50 from when you receive the "hard copy" one through the post. Therfore, if you start filling it in now, you will ease the time constraints.

bro58

many thanks. can dwp override the decision of gp and make someone attend a medical.

Unfortunately, yes they can.

lilliegez wrote:

many thanks. can dwp override the decision of gp and make someone attend a medical.

Hi l,

It is generally ATOS that recommend whether a face to face takes place, or not, and unfortunately they can ignore a G.P.'s recommendations if they feel that they need more evidence which may be obtained from a face to face.

Of course, if they do feel that you have provided enough relevant information, ATOS can carry out a "paper assessment".

There is also the option of a "Home Assessment" although ATOS seem most reluctant to carry these out.

bro58