Working is not working out for me

Lyn wrote:

How long does it take for the ESA to look at my Atos medical results? and for me to find out if I'm fit for work?

ATOS send a report (ESA85) to the DWP, where a decision maker makes the actual decision, which should not be based just on the ESA85 but also on your written application and any written evidence from medical professionals that you have submitted. That's how it works in theory. Timescale: expect to hear within roughly two weeks of the medical, I reckon, but it depends on their workload...

Re: your DLA award. Unfortunately it is not considered evidence, as from their point of view they are making a fresh 'up to date' assessment. Therefore it's crucial to get letters from any medical professionals who are taking care of you. If you haven't done so already, get cracking! (if you are turned down, you can send extra evidence in with your appeal which may get you a result at that point).

NB: If you are turned down, they offer to move you to JSA (jobseekers allowance). Just say 'no'. Tell them you are going to appeal and wish to stay on ESA meanwhile, and ask them to send you a copy of the medical report (ESA85). I hope you don't need this advice. I fear you will.

Andy.

I phoned today to see if a decision had been made, I was told I'd been put into the support group, so even though my experience was a bad one with Atos, I still got the result that I had hoped for.

Hello,

I have been working for 4 weeks but my mental health is suffering badly as a result, before returning to work I was in the Work Related Group on the main phase of ESA.

I just wanted to know what other peoples experiences were of getting back on ESA after attempting to return to work. Do you go back on the main phase of ESA straight away or have you had to go through the whole process from the start again (i.e. 13 weeks of sending in certificates, assessment and medical)

Thanks for your help x

In short, yes, you do go back through the whole thing again, I only worked for six weeks, was under the impression that the "linking rules" would put me straight back on to ESA without the 13 week period, but that all changed 28th March this year, you will have to provide a "sick note" (ask doc for a 3 month one), you will only receive the basic £67 something, and will probably have to go to an Atos medical, on the up side, you would get all monies back dated if you got back onto ESA, I was in the WRAG and now they have put me into Support group, so it's not always bad news at the end of a long road. If you decide to stop work, phone ESA on your first day of sickness to tell them, send in your "Sick note" from dated from your first day of sickness, you never know, you might get lucky and get straight back on, but I didn't!
Good luck, I know how you feel, but at least we tried to work.

I do feel slightly as if we are being punished for attempting to return to work! It's not really fair but thats the benefits system for you!

Thank you for your help!