Physical vs mental health grounds

I wonder if someone could clear something up for me. I claim IB - recently renewed on the grounds that I have a progressive neurological condition. At least I thought that is what I was doing. But according to the copy of the Atos report the physical exam was "curtailed" (although I scored over the theshold on physical criteria) I also scored enough points on mental health grounds. I would like to know on what grounds I should be prepared to claim ESA when the time comes. Or is the demarkation between physical and mental health problems irrelevant?

The IB50 and ESA50 are two very different animals with respect to the manner of assessment, the latter having potentially been made even harder to pass (or is it fail, I've never understood what one has to do is it pass the ESA50 or fail the ESA50 in order to claim ESA?).

You can look at the ESA guides in the Members Section to give you an useful opportunity of what to expect from both the physical and mental aspects of the ESA50 questionnaire.

Thank you Gareth. At least I now know of this site. I am dreading the ESA50

Hi Anne,

An Atos health professional can 'curtail' an examination when it is clear that a claimant scores sufficient points to pass the test without it being necessary to complete the rest of it.

So, very often, if it is clear that the claimant easily scores enough points on physical health grounds they will not carry out a mental health assessment even if the claimant does also have a mental health condition. It saves time, money and stress all round.

But whether for IB or ESA, your claim should always be based on all your conditions, both physical and mental.

Good luck,

Steve

Thank you for explaining that Steve. I wasn't sure wether to be pleased or offended at being "curtailed"

Could somebody tell me if an Atos medical is conducted strictly according to the guidelines or does the Dr have some discretion? I ask because, as far as I can remember, I was first questioned and observed eg re the typical day and then asked to perform various physical tasks. But the medical report says the physical exam was "curtailed" and that a MH assessment was implemented. So it seems that it appeared that I would meet the threshold for physical criteria (I did) and the MH assessment had already been done. I thought that the sequence is physical followed if appropriate by MH