ESA Support group Sucess. IB to ESA migration

Just wanted to share my experience. After initial DWP letter 14th Jan 2013 finally received today 28/06/13 confirmation letter of successful migration from IB to ESA support group. Has been an exhausting journey with issues along the way.
Followed B&W guides to the letter filling out ESA 50 form carefully and in great detail (took 10 days straight in very small chunks) exhausting but a necessary evil. Was hoping for a decision without an assessment but no not lucky on that count. Telephone contact DWP for ATOS assessment 11/4/13 only to be told no appointments available at local ATOS assessment centre !!!?. appointment would be forwarded by post. Duely received 9/5/13 for appointment 24/5/13.
Dreading assessment (never assessed before - in receipt IB since 1998 & DLA since 2005 succesful claims first time for both with no medical assessments) Spouse accompanied - Seen by a Doctor who was the most professional medic i have seen in many years. He had studied my ESA form properly before we met him - he immediately sensed my anxiety shook our hands told us to sit down and relax.
I had passed the assessment, virtually no questions and no examination. We were astounded. He said just on my evidence alone on the ESA50 i qualified for the support group, my medical condition alone -progressive neurological as a result of previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be in his opinion enough for indefinite qualification. Back up letters (copies) from recent hospital appointments with Consultant Haematologist and Neurologist supplied since completion of ESA50. This supported his recommendation and report. He suggested approx 2 week wait for confirmation. this turned into 5 weeks. BUT SUCCESS! So relieved. Thankyou for the excellent guides which were invaluble, made the worst forms by miles i have EVER had to tackle possible. There were times I wanted to tear up the forms through sheer frustration.
Thanks again - I found your website by chance on a Google search and signed up almost a year ago in anticipation of IB to ESA Migration process. The best decision I made/

Gillybean wrote: Just wanted to share my experience. After initial DWP letter 14th Jan 2013 finally received today 28/06/13 confirmation letter of successful migration from IB to ESA support group. Has been an exhausting journey with issues along the way.
Followed B&W guides to the letter filling out ESA 50 form carefully and in great detail (took 10 days straight in very small chunks) exhausting but a necessary evil. Was hoping for a decision without an assessment but no not lucky on that count. Telephone contact DWP for ATOS assessment 11/4/13 only to be told no appointments available at local ATOS assessment centre !!!?. appointment would be forwarded by post. Duely received 9/5/13 for appointment 24/5/13.
Dreading assessment (never assessed before - in receipt IB since 1998 & DLA since 2005 succesful claims first time for both with no medical assessments) Spouse accompanied - Seen by a Doctor who was the most professional medic i have seen in many years. He had studied my ESA form properly before we met him - he immediately sensed my anxiety shook our hands told us to sit down and relax.
I had passed the assessment, virtually no questions and no examination. We were astounded. He said just on my evidence alone on the ESA50 i qualified for the support group, my medical condition alone -progressive neurological as a result of previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be in his opinion enough for indefinite qualification. Back up letters (copies) from recent hospital appointments with Consultant Haematologist and Neurologist supplied since completion of ESA50. This supported his recommendation and report. He suggested approx 2 week wait for confirmation. this turned into 5 weeks. BUT SUCCESS! So relieved. Thankyou for the excellent guides which were invaluble, made the worst forms by miles i have EVER had to tackle possible. There were times I wanted to tear up the forms through sheer frustration.
Thanks again - I found your website by chance on a Google search and signed up almost a year ago in anticipation of IB to ESA Migration process. The best decision I made/

Hi Gb,

That is really good news !!!

Thanks for letting us know.

Thank you also for your positive comments regarding B&W.

There are no indefinite awards of ESA, each award comes with a recommended period before reassessment (The Prognosis).

How often will I be reviewed

The maximum prognosis is 3 years.

To find out your prognosis, you can ring up the telephone number on the SG award decision notice letter.

You can also request the relevant documentation in writing, see :

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

bro58