ESA hearing today, frightened and worried

[Worried_about_ESA_hearing]

I have been visiting the forum here for a little while and have just reg.

 

Well, today I have my ESA appeal hearing. I was turned down last May and appealed immediatly and finally got a date 3 weeks ago.

 

I have been seeing a lady from the CAB who is going to represent me today, but I am so frightened about it.

 

I am going into hospital next week for major surgery to my foot so my emotions are running sky high at the moment.

 

I originally scored 12 points when I was turned down but alot of my problems were missed completly off the scoring and the Medic didnt even ask me.

I have sent off extra evidence and letters from my GP and consultant, but I am still so worried.

I dont deal very well with stressfull situations since I became ill last feb, before that I was a hi flying manager who wasnt frightened of anything... but now I just cant think straight.

 

Can anyone offer me some tips of how to cope now, during and after as I am sure I wont win.

 

K

[loopinlouie]

I cant give any advice other than to breath deeply and slowly;)

 

But best wishes and some cag pixie dust on its way xxx

[RaeUK]

Just wanted to wish you all the best. You've done every thing right. You have representation, you've provided medical evidence - which the tribunal will take note of, unlike ATOS.

Relax as best you can.

Best wishes and good luck.

Rae.

[Worried_about_ESA_hearing]

Hi

 

I have just got home and I won, but I dont feel like I have won anything.

It was horrible, I feel like they tore me to shreds.

The judge says at the start they are independant, but after what I have just been subjected too, I very much doubt it.

 

Will post some questions later but I just cant stop crying at the moment.

 

thanks for your replies tho

xx

[RaeUK]

Sorry you felt you had such a tough time.

But congratulations on winning!!!!

Best wishes

Rae x

[Tillysocute]

What is the world coming too when genuine people who are unfortunate enough to become ill are treated so badly !!!

 

How can these people be allowed to make someone break down like this ...

 

I just cant get my head round it all.......

 

Congratulations on winning your appeal and i hope your operation goes well.................

Edited February 22, 2010 by Tillysocute

[Worried_about_ESA_hearing]

Thanks Rae

 

I have calmed down a bit more now, I am sorry to the other ladies in the waiting room who were going in after me, I think I must have worried tham too.

 

Do you know if I still have to keep sending sickness certificates now? I have been put under work dept. and have to go to monthly meetings. I am having surgery next week and will be housebound for approx 3 months... how does this work out?

 

Any idea how long till they refund? they owe me 40 weeks.

 

xx

[postggj]

as yours is dwp case all i can offer is congrats and suport

 

atos days are numbered

i have them in court at the moment and all the dirty laundry will be made public when the case is over

 

i call them the mcdonalds of the health care profession

 

chin up

yours is a common occurance with atos

 

who pays the piper explains it

[RaeUK]

Hi postggi, am soooo looking forward to hearing all about it...

 

Worriedabout, I don't know! Theoretically, you won your appeal, info goes back to DWP and they should increase your ESA and sort out back payments. No requirement for medical certificates.

To be on the safe side, give your local DWP a ring to check. [Although someone way more knowledgeable than I may pass this way soon...]

Youyr Pathways Advisor at the Job Centre should be very understanding about when you are housebound.

Best wishes and good luck

Rae.

Edited February 22, 2010 by RaeUK
type o

[rdm2006]

I am on ESA and will have to go to a hearing at some time i appealed ages ago but heard very little other than will get 3 weeks notice.

 

my payments have neither stopped nor been reduced

 

as far as I know you will have to send in sick notes unless you have been told otherwise but then your doc could give you a 6 month one if he likes.

[RaeUK]

As I understand it, once you have passed the assessment phase then you no longer supply medical certificates.

However, up until that point you need to. As I am still waiting appeal I need to supply them up to when I have my tribunal and win [of course!]

Best wishes

Rae.

[honeybee13]

Worried about, I think you did really well! I've been there too and it's rigourous, but I also won. My life has been much quieter since.

 

Postggj, I wish you all the best with your case and look forward to hearing about it when you can tell us.

 

Well done again, worried about.

[postggj]

HAVE A NOSE

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/legal-issues/229619-atos-health-care-postggj.html?highlight=atos

[rightsforme]

Sorry to hear you got such a bad time, but glad you won and hope you can start to move forward now. I also became ill feb last year and scored only 12 points on ATOS so had to appeal. My appeal has only just been heard 9 months for an appeal which is supposed to be maximum of 90 days, just shows how many are being denied by ATOS. I was also terrified at the thought of going to my appeal as this treatment has made my illness even worse. I fortunately was luckier and was represented by welfare rights who obtained all my medical info and supporting evidence which showed i should have well in excess of 100 points let alone the 15 required. On the morning of the hearing I received a call just before i was going to leave for the hearing from my representative to tell me that did not have to attend as they overturned the decision. Welfare Rights also felt that I should be getting DLA and put in an application which has been awarded. I was not at all confident that I would get any of it and life just seemed pointless. No one should be subjected to this sort of treatment and made worse, I am now going to try changing this awful event in my life to a positive one by getting myself better to get back to work, and would like to retrain and get into support work for people with disabilities. ATOS is a disgrace, the doctors seem to find against you if you do not have a visible disability and in my opinion DWP pay them to find against as many as they can. I dread the thought of possibly being sent back to them but if I do I am going fully armed with all my proper professional medical reports. I hope that you can start to try and get your life back together. It is not a crime to be ill, why should people be treated as such for example under ESA rules you are supposed to inform them if you go away even for 1 day. This is a breach of our human rights.

[antone]

Thanks Rae

 

I have calmed down a bit more now, I am sorry to the other ladies in the waiting room who were going in after me, I think I must have worried tham too.

 

Do you know if I still have to keep sending sickness certificates now? I have been put under work dept. and have to go to monthly meetings. I am having surgery next week and will be housebound for approx 3 months... how does this work out?

 

Any idea how long till they refund? they owe me 40 weeks.

 

xx

 

You shouldn't need med certs, but keep sending them until you have written confirmation from JCP that they have been informed of your winning the appeal and have processed the change.

 

The amount of time it takes to process the result of your appeal and pay the arrears you are due varies from one processing office to another. At mine, 2-3 weeks wouldn't be unusual.