Hello

I will try to be brief,

I have been on ESA for 2 years, I originally had a medical and obtained 6 points this was doubled at appeal. Then I reapplied for ESA starting the process all over again, 2 weeks ago I had another Atos medical some 8 weeks over the 13 week assessment faze and 5 days ago had back pay and a letter saying a change in the benefit and one line mentioning work related support group.

I suffer from a very rare skin condition that makes it painful to stand, walk or grip, also very bad depression due to the pain I am in, my question is, have I passed my medical assessment? And what happens next?

Should I wait for more correspondence or contact them to find out how many points I obtained?

And help and advice in this mine field would be appreciated

You've passed! The backpay is because you're entitled to the extra component from week 13 if you pass the medical.

thanks for that, just thought it was a bit vague. Any idea how i find out my points

You can call the DWP office that pays your claim and ask for a copy of the ESA85 medical report. That will tell you how many points you scored and should let you see any comments the HCP made about you.

i will call them tomorrow

i managed to get them before they closed today. They dont know how many points i have or what happens next, i asked for the report he said do you want to appeal i said no just would like to see what was written about me and i can see how many points i got from it.

its in the post

Well done on getting your ESA.

Sorry to but in on your thread, but I to would be interested in seeing how they made my descision. I am in the support group and did not attend a medical just sent the form back. Will they send me anything. Also I forgot to make a copy of my form as i was so angry having to answer all their stupid questions, do you think they'll send me a copy? They did send me a copy of my DLA form when i asked but that was back in the 90s. I forgot to copy my wife's aswell but as she is now over 65 her DLA should be safe.

i will let you know what i find

Hi

had the report today and i obtained 18 points.

however reading it my depression and some of the things i said in the interview tho listed at the start were ignored in the assessment.

i have had my condition 50+ years and will only ever get worse but according to the medical it can get better in 12 months and i should be back to norma.

not sure what to do now

1, say nothing to rock the boat, it has taken two medicals to get this far first medical was 6 points doubled at appeal, the extra was for my mental condition.

2, appeal as my mental condition was not taken into account to increase the points awarded

any advice would be appreciated

Hello there.

I'm not sure I would do anything. 15 points are what you need to claim ESA and I would think twice about rocking the boat too. Hopefully someone who knows more than me will comment.

My best, HB

I would say nothing, its unlikely they will raise the time from 12 months, as I have never heard of someone getting more than 12 months on ESA although it supposedbly possible.

many thanks, i will wait for them i think that will be the best

I would say nothing, its unlikely they will raise the time from 12 months, as I have never heard of someone getting more than 12 months on ESA although it supposedbly possible.

I was told I'd been put on it for 2 years

I think the maximum time is 3 years for the support group.

I believe the maximum for WRAG group is 12 months.

The HCP said put in exactly the same ESA50 in 12 months time with any additional evidence.

spoke to my doctor today saying i had 18 points, he has supported me all the way through, he had to laugh when i told him i was going to get well in 12 months.

he said not to worry about it

I had my medical yesterday, and the doctor didn't ask me to do anything.... they sent a taxi for me and one to go home in, when I was filling the form in originally I put that I could not walk for 50 yards, then I crossed that out and put it varies... I attended the medical on crutches and the doctor told me that if I had left the question as "no" then I wouldn't have had to go for the medical at all. it was enough to pass on paper... now... the question is ?? he seemed happy that I had enough of a disability not to work, but he said it was down to the decision maker... he also said that it was quite obvious because of my deformed joints that I was in pain too. should I keep my hopes up that I get put in the support group and won't have to keep bein assessed, or am I just as likely to fail completely as I have read some terrible outcomes on here.

Also... what's the difference in awards as reading an earlier post she had some back pay... I currently get £71 or near enough a week?