ESA Medical 19th April

Hi,

I have today received my letter along with the report which I asked for when they telephoned me to tell me I wasn't going to get ESA. It says I scored only 6 points with not being able to turn a tap with my bad hand and that is it? They didn't ask me to lift anything with either hand at the medical and at one point I got very upset and tearful when talking about my mental state and yet they have said my mood was 'normal'?

They have also put I have no problems with my legs but they never asked me directly and I know I mentioned the sciatic pains I get. I limped down the corridor and yet they said I walked normally. They said I opened a door fine with my right hand and I am positive he opened the door for me when I arrived and left.

They said I sat normally for the duration of the medical (45 mins) but I shifted about quite a bit in my chair and told them I had pain. I also refused to tip my head backward as it hurts too much. I told him I was in a lot of pain with my neck and when moving side to side I struggled, especially with my left side, they have said movement was normal! I wasn't asked to put my hands behind my back nor above my head but have reported me on both these as fine?

I am on Tramadol and yet they have said I am on a 'moderate' painkiller! I also told them about the Amyltriptiline my previous doctor put me on to help me sleep and to help with my depression but they haven't mentioned this at all.

I am extremely upset about the whole episode as my doctor insisted I told them how I felt on my worst day but they haven't taken his into consideration at all. When I am really bad (which is more and more frequently and I told him this) I cannot get out of bed for 3 or maybe 4 days at a time. They have not seen this as an 'average day' for me though even though I told him that I was very worried I would not make the medical and that the episodes are coming more frequently, at least once a week.

I am worried about the deadline to appeal now as the letter is dated 27 April and I only received it today (3rd May). They have also said I will not be entitled to ESA from 26th April.

So, what do I do now? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much

Aragorn

Hi Aragorn, it all sounds very familiar I'm afraid.

Have a look through this; [link removed]
Make sure you get the form in quickly, by recorded delivery, after you have made a copy of it.

The guide tells you what to write, (ie the quick reply). This will then give you time to sort your appeal out, which is unlikely to be for months.

Make sure you request ESA at the assessment rate while you are appealing.

You will need to send in 'fit notes' from your gp.

Best wishes,
Rachel

Mod edit: Direct links to B&W publications are not allowed, as they become accessible to non-members. The appeal guide can be found on the page below.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

(sorry Derek )

No problem Rachel.

Fedup wrote:

Hi Aragorn, it all sounds very familiar I'm afraid.

Have a look through this; [link removed]
Make sure you get the form in quickly, by recorded delivery, after you have made a copy of it.

The guide tells you what to write, (ie the quick reply). This will then give you time to sort your appeal out, which is unlikely to be for months.

Make sure you request ESA at the assessment rate while you are appealing.

You will need to send in 'fit notes' from your gp.

Best wishes,
Rachel

Mod edit: Direct links to B&W publications are not allowed, as they become accessible to non-members. The appeal guide can be found on the page below.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

Thank you Rachel, I will be right onto it now and follow the link. Will report back soon

Aragorn

Tramadol is for treating moderate to severe pain and most Drs would offer it for moderate pain. The Dr is right the way he described the drug. Also regardless of what he put about the drug anyone else reading a report would draw there own conculsion based not just on its name but also on the amount taken each day.