ESA Ongoing Claim

Hi Everyone!

I recently had to re-submit an ESA50 form, after being placed in the Work Related Activity Group last June. I sent the form back in mid December and I have been waiting for an ATOS appointment for my second medical.

I received a letter today from the DWP saying after looking at my claim again on 30 December 2010, my ESA will be the same amount I have been receiving since March 2010. It says I am in the WRA group and that my allowance will increase in April 2011.

Would you assume from this that I will NOT have to attend a second medical?
I am puzzled to say the least, or should I just do the sensible thing and ring them and ask? I know, I am stupid! But I just wondered if any of you kind people would think the same as me, before I take the step of ringing them.

I would be very grateful for any opinions regarding this letter.

Many Thanks for your time.

jemimajane

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees where future medicals are concerned - we've had people posting on here who've won an appeal and been sent a letter calling them to another medical almost immediately.

Usually, how soon you have another medical will depend on what the healthcare professional said in your previous report as to when they expected you to be fit for work, but this isn't a hard and fast rule.

The date for the allowance to increase doesn't guarantee that you won't have a medical before then.

I'm sorry that I can't say anything more definitive - guessing when you'll get your next medical is like measuring a piece of string, unfortunately.

Hi Jemimajane

From what you have stated from the letter, I believe that they decided from your ESA50 that you continue to satisfy the WCA and that a medical is not required.

However, a medical report will have been written advising the decision maker, with the usual advice regarding when your condition is likely to improve. You may want to phone JCP and ask for a copy of this and the decision makers report.

Incidentally, I can recall that you were upset about having a three-month prognosis. Did you receive an ESA50 three months after the first decision or was it slightly longer?

Regards

Derek

Hi Derek

Thank you for remembering me. Yes I was very upset at the doctor's prognosis at the time, I even consulted ATOS to ensure I would not see the same doctor at any future medicals. I received an ESA50 in October (just over 3 months later), but the DWP generously deferred the return of the form until December as I was seeing consultants and getting MRI scans done.
I would be very pleased not to have to attend another medical, but there is no mention of it on the letter I received today. So I think a phone call would be beneficial, don't you?

Thanks again
jemimajane

Hi again everyone

I have just called the DWP to confirm what this letter actually means and they say they are not calling me for another medical. What's more, the next review date is 29 April 2012. I cannot believe it, I am so relieved.

Thank you Derek for listening to me, it means such a lot.

I would also like to wish everyone that is struggling with these claims, the very best of luck, I hope you are successful in your efforts.

Hi Jemimajane

I'm really pleased for you, it must be a weight of your mind.

It just goes to show how arbitrary the ESA system is. One doctor thinks you will be fit for work in three months, another can tell from the paperwork alone that this is not possible.

Best wishes

Derek