ESA reort a sham

The word activity is used differently in different contexts. In relation to ESA, it includes things like sitting and concentrating.

pussycat1961 wrote:

Hi Brian,
I have to say that my first medical report went very much in my favour, in fact the doctor put things in the report she hadn't even asked me and actually made me sound worse than I was at that time but it was a month before I was due for spinal surgery.
I just noticed this report stated I have no problem with leisure activities (stated I can sit and listen to music.

I may not be the brain of britain but the word 'Activity' means to move, to be active. How can listening to music be an activity? Sitting is an inactive thing and music is a hearing thing so technically I am inactive if Im sitting. This is going in with my Atos complaint, see if they can clarify what they mean by 'activity lol!

Anne

I would say activity can mean listening to music, as on the part of the DLA form where they ask about what you need help with I explained I need my hi fi switching on testing/servicing If you look it up on the DWP site where they have an a to z of words you will find a few words under dwpspeake are not like at school

Hi Originaldave,
I was actually referring to the work related assessment for ESA, have not seen anything within ESA that states the word 'activity' relates to sitting or listening. DLA may be different, I don't know.

Anne

The TV trap has for a long time been used as evidence that a claimant can concentrate.

If they are going to use music as a substitute for TV they should state exactly what type of music you listen to that requires so much concentration and allow the tribunal to decide if it requires concentration.

Good luck with your complaint! I found it well worth complaining, it was valuable during my DLA appeal.

Considering these decisions can seriously affect the quality of life of the claimant you would think there would be some kind of quality control on the reports.... either as they leave Atos are when they are with the DWP?

xx

In most closed pyschiatric settings where persons are held under section, or attend voluntarily, televisions are usually in place. I douybt anyone ever gets discharged on the basis they watch TV
ATOS will and do use television as evidence of ability to concentrate but it is possible to sit in front of TV and dip in and out of attention, or watch easy to assimilate programmes, or indeed, be only some days able to focus on programmes

Very important to write and specify byour limitations in the medical form

Eg ' I watch television only on some days because most of the time I cannot concentrate' etc etc' If not specific then the danger is that at the medical it will be stated you said you watch tV regularly etc etc