ESA Activity 16 and a companion at the medical

My plan was for my father to drive me and escort me into the Examnination Centre but then leave me there until I ring him to come and get me.

But for Activity 16, Social Interaction it states in the ESA Handbook

"It would seem likely the person would require a companion to attend at the MEC due to the level of anxiety/communication restriction that this descriptor would normally be expected to reflect."

Are they saying that a companion actually needs to be in the medical with you or just come with you to the centre. I get very upset being with anyone for more than a short period, even close family, so don't wnat my father to wait with me and I definitely don't want him in the examination as I need to tell of things he doesn't know about.

Hi asdman

I would strongly recommend that you ask your father to stay with you at the medical centre, but sit in the waiting room while you are being assessed. It's not necessary for him to actually be in the medical room during the assessment.

If the advice that healthcare professionals are given is taken literally it would be completely impossible for anybody to score points for this activity, as they regard going to supermarkets, using public transport and meeting friends or relatives as socialising. (Unless you're Robinson Crusoe you can't live without meeting people!).

I think you are unlikely to score points for this activity if you turn up to the medical on your own even if you are taken there, but having a friend/relative accompanying you but sitting in the waiting room should be enough to satisfy the computer software that generates the medical report. You can then explain the relevant difficulties you have to the ADA regarding coping with social situations.

Good luck

Derek

Well that doesn't bode well for me then, as I have no living relatives left and few friends. In past years one mate used to drive me to the examination centre in the centre of town and then leave me there and I'd phone him on my mobile when I needed to be picked up again.

So doing thats going to count against me then?

It shouldn't count against you but it probably will.

Although you would obviously tell the ADA that you received a lift to the medical centre and will be picked up, Atos consider sitting alone in a waiting room as socialising, because other people are in the room!

Bizarrely sitting in a waiting room with a companion demonstrates less of an ability to socialise because it is presumed that the companion is there to help you cope with the social situation!

Well just now my ESA50 form turned up.

Is there any point in trying to contact my local CAB about helping me fill this thing in, or don't they do that sort of thing anymore or can folks just manage to get all the help they need from just the guides on here. It all looks so complex and my head just spins when I start reading all this info. My GP is away on holiday for just over 2 weeks so I won't be getting any help from that quarter for a while either.

I've tried ringing my local CAB and I can't even get through to their help lines anymore as they are permantely engaged as per.

Hi Just Me

You can do either. I would suggest you read the guides and prepare your evidence.

If you find it too much you can still contact the CAB and subject to their workload, as far as I know they still help claimants with claims. Even if you do this I would still recommend using the guides to write a detailed description of why you feel you score points for each activity and giving it to the CAB.

Good luck

Derek