ESA medical passed and into support group

I've just returned from a few days away over Easter. I knew that when I got back the dreaded letter from the DWP would probably have arrived with the results of my medical - Shock, surprise, the letter had arrived and I have been placed in the support group.

I am sure that would have not happened if I had not had access to the information on this site. This is my second claim fro ESA, on the first claim I failed the medical and went to appeal, I waited 9 months before I won my appeal, by which time I had returned to work. On that occasion I went from 0 points to 24 pts. So you can imagine how surprised I was to pass and be placed in the support group.

I was assessed under the old rules as my claim was just before they issued the new ESA50, so I guess as my main problem is mobility, they will be sending me for another medical soon so they can assess my use of that imaginary wheelchair.

So my advice is to read the guidance carefully - not just fro filling in the forms but also attending the medical, as I believe it was my responses at the medical that swung it for me to be placed in the support group as this is fairly rare once you are assessed as in need of the medical.

Well done julesg111,

A great relief for you now no doubt? You say to ''read the guidance'' and ''not just filling in the forms but also attending the medical'' what did you mean by that?

Is there such guidance available here? Can I ask how it helped you in this case, without giving too much away of course?

Great news anyway, well done

Bill

It was useful to read how atos undertake the medical, for instance assuming you can do something based on their observations.....e.g If you place you handbag on the floor the report will say you can bend down to pick it up without taking into account that you were sitting at the time. Or at the end of the medical they will ask you to stand to undertake some simple physical tests. They will then extrapolate that as you stood for this you can stand for x amount of time. At my first medical I did what was asked, but was never asked if standing for that time was painful...so in this medical I asked to only stand for the lower limb and back tests not the ones that could be done sitting down e.g. lofting your arms, turning your neck. Finally I ensured that when I responded I was very clear at how I did things, eg I spend time watching TV but I lie down when I do this on the sofa as sitting is painful......

Hope that helps

Many thanks jules,

Very informative.

Take care

Bill