ESA - Success - (I think) !!!

Hi Jemima Jane.

I don't think the information i or Crazy Diamond gave yesterday has reassured you that - you are not required to send in another sick-note, but may well end up being sent another IB50ESA50 due to Atos stating you will/may be fit for work in 3 months.

I do think this is an important issue to raise in your complaint if medical evidence and the medical itself indicates that it is your arthritic condition that led to your eligibility for ESA and is a chronic condition, unlikely to improve in 3 months.

Reading Mamma T's original post - i think it is dreadful that delays processing claims and reviews etc are leading to financial hardship and added distress. From my experience in taking my complex complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman - such examples of maladministration, may be right up their street, whereas i was disappointed by their limited powers when investigating the 'poor medical advice' aspects of my complaint.

It is a real shame that the GMC etc are reluctant to get involved in challenging the quality of Atos Healthcare medicals.

Let's hope the Prof Harrington Inquiry into the WCA has some positive outcomes.

Can somebody please clarify Jemima Jane's position because it is obviously still troubling her. I'm no expert and a little confused too.

Thanks and best wishes.

Typo amended at Catherine's request.
Survivor

Hi Jemimajane

Although medical reports do not contain scores, you can easily work out your score by comparing the comments on the report that were in your favour, to the ESA claims guide, which states how many points they are worth.

You should not need to send in medical certificates after being placed in the WRA group.

As for the three month prognosis, I understand that this is just advice to the decision maker about when you can be reassessed. I don't think it means that you automatically get sent out an ESA50 when the time arrives. They may have a backlog to contend with.

I know it is worrying not knowing when your next form will arrive, but it may still me several months away. Please don't spend each day worrying that it will be tomorrow.

Best wishes

Derek

Hi Derek

Thanks for re-iterating Jemimajane's position and suggesting she doesn't spend her days worrying - it is very good advice, though not always easy.

Hopefully her complaint will help resolve things.

Thanks to Survivor too for correcting my error so promptly - i was worrying about that!

Best wishes

Hello all,

Well, I haven't even asked for my ATOS report yet - I fully intend to but I have needed some time to re-charge a bit and to breathe after such a saga. I have seen my doctor since I was put into the main phase of ESA and I did say to her that the DWP had not stated in their letter to me anything about sick certificates at all. She checked her records and they had managed to write to her and tell her that I no longer needed certificates - shame they couldn't have let me know too. (I even worry that it may be used against me that I am not seeing her so regularly now unless I'm in crisis or need meds as I was asked how often I see her in my medical).

Although I've been in the WRG for about 6 or so weeks now I am only just beginning to 'relax' in the loosest sense of the word. In fact I have been quite ill since I found out which I think is due to it all finally being sorted out but also having in the back of my mind that it's really just all on hold.

It's good advice to try to relax a bit though I know it's easier said than done.

And thank you to all of you on this forum as so many of you take time to reassure and advise when needed and it's great to have a sympathetic and understanding ear.

Teresa.

Hi Derek
I took your advice and I think my score would be about 18, but some descriptors were not allowed for. I still get the ESA though, so I shall leave that where it is for now. I am hoping to stop worrying so much, it's not easy tho'!

Thanks for your supportive posts everyone!