ESA assessment, driving, computer skills question.

Hi there,

firstly I would like to say a big thank you to this site for the invaluable help gained thus far filling out my ESA50 etc, well worth the price of entry alone!

I have now been contacted by ATOS with a date for my medical assessment which I am absolutely dreading, however there are a couple of issues which are really troubling me (more then all the other flippin' issues) and I'm hoping some wise soul on this forum might be able to tender a little advice and point me in the right direction.

I am being moved over from IB to ESA having been on IB for many years owing to severe panic disorder, depression, agoraphobia, OCD and a whole host of other mental issues not to mention my chronic IBS which debilitates me terribly.

The thing is, that whilst I genuinely suffer with all these problems and many more beside, I am by no means daft! I can use a computer better than most and I still drive on occasions.

Using a computer could actually be considered my hobby, I can build one from scratch, I can usually fix them when they go pear shaped, I buy stuff on Ebay, I keep in contact with people on Facebook, I do my grocery shopping online and the ESA50 form I submitted was actually the PDF version which I completed using the PC. In many ways, it's actually the computer which is my lifeline and without it I would have probably gone completely round the bend by now.

With regard to the driving, I live on my own on a nasty little housing estate which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I don't have anyone I can ask to help me with getting around and so I've kept my old Peugeot going which I use soley for doctor's appointments and picking up my medication etc.

Because of my anxiety/agoraphobia issues, attending the doctor's surgery or the chemists will nine times out of ten cause me to have horrible panic attacks but actually, sat in my car, with nobody else around and with me being completely in control, I can generally relax a bit. I don't have a social life of any description, I don't use the car for pleasurable purposes, it is purely an emergency measure without which I would be completely isolated.

So these then are the two main areas concerning me at the moment, how the hell do I handle/explain at my assessement that just because I have computer skills and can still drive when I really have no alternative, that there is no way on the face of the earth that I could ever hold down a job? Obviously what I'm fearing here is some faceless, mouse-clicker simply stating, he can drive, he can use a PC, ergo he can work.

Intelligent, adept people are not immune from mental difficulties, in fact I actually believe that they can be more prone. I have submitted an exhaustive ESA50 form, I am on and can produce a shedful of medications, I have included a brilliantly supportive letter from my GP, I will be accompanied to the assessment by a support worker from MIND, I have tried to cover all the bases and yet I am panicking out of my wits that because of the aforementioned skills/abilities my claim will be summarily dismissed.

Any thoughts or observations would be greeted with open arms this end as I'm totally at a loss right now.

Thank you so much for reading thus far, kindest regards,

Charlie.

Hi Charlie

Unfortunately Atos medical reports have now stooped so low that you no longer need to have skills for ADAs to see ability in you.

For people with mental health problems the ability to wash, dress and make a cup of tea can be used to deny points.

As Gordon suggested, look at the descriptors that you feel you should score points for and consider the assumptions that Atos may make. For the 'going out' and 'coping with social situations' you need to state clearly how frequently to do this and the difficulty you have when you are out.

Atos have a tendency to jump on to the fact that you do something without questioning the level of difficulty you have, so it's important to have a good description of your difficulties on your ESA50 should an appeal be required.

Good luck

Derek

Hi! Charlie.
The only positive thing i can say to you is to follow the MODS advice they know what they are talking about and be prepared.
However on my face to face with ATOS Dr he only asked about 15-18 questions(never physically examined me at all)was out in 15 minutes.
Thats a lot less than i was expecting and he didn't ask questions about areas i thought he would; for example using a computer and as i am visually impaired they know that technology enables visually impaired people to use one.
Unless as others have said he used the magical power of assumption.
Good Luck!

Breing able to drive unaccompanied and to be able to competently use a computor, will present real danger to any claimant when it comes to assessment and so as stated, it is essential to qaulify it . It is essential you put your difficulties in WRITING and not rely on it being recorded in writing at the assessment.
Owining and drivin g a motor vehicle involves , awareness, concentration, motivation, the ability to deal with the filling station, the MOT centre, repair and servicing appointments, lots of potential for social contact to be extrapolated or perhaps assumed.
and if you use it that infrequently then take 2 MOT certificates for consecutive years to demonstrate the recorded mileage is so low

Good luck

matchseller wrote:

Hi! Charlie.
The only positive thing i can say to you is to follow the MODS advice they know what they are talking about and be prepared.
However on my face to face with ATOS Dr he only asked about 15-18 questions(never physically examined me at all)was out in 15 minutes.
Thats a lot less than i was expecting and he didn't ask questions about areas i thought he would; for example using a computer and as i am visually impaired they know that technology enables visually impaired people to use one.
Unless as others have said he used the magical power of assumption.
Good Luck!

Hi Matchseller

I'm surprised you weren't asked the dreaded computer question; I think it's much more likely or even certain to be asked for a mental health examination.

You've made a good point in your post. When filling in an ESA50 you have to prepare for the worst and assume that Dr. Assumption will be conducting the face-to-face, but you may be lucky and have an ADA that carries out a proper WCA, if such a thing exists.

Regards

Derek