ESA Medical

[antone]

It is true that a large number of people "fail" the medical, that is, are found not to be entitled to ESA. I have never claimed ESA, I am an ESA processor, so I can't tell you anything about what the actual medical is like. Nor can I tell you if you're likely to pass, so please don't take the rest of this post as an indication that I think you'll have problems - I have no idea. If you pass you'll get more money (from the 92nd day of your claim) and all will be well, so I'm really just providing these comments so that, should the worst happen and you don't pass the medical, you have some idea what to do next.

 

You have the right to appeal the decision if you do fail, and if it is your view that the decision is wrong, appealing the decision is what you should do. You can ask for form GL24, the appeal form, or you can simply write a letter to your Benefit Delivery Centre. If you write a letter, be sure to state in it that you wish to appeal, specify what decision you are appealing, and give your reasons. Something like:

 

"I wish to appeal against your recent decision to disallow my ESA, communicated to me in your letter dated dd/mm/yyyy. I believe this decision to be wrong because..."

 

and be sure to sign the letter.

 

When your appeal is received you will be entitled to ESA at the basic (assessment phase) rate until the independent tribunal reaches a decision. Your payments may be interrupted for a couple of weeks, but provided you continue to submit medical certificates, you will be paid ESA. The Tribunals Service should contact you with more information about how their processes work, but you do have the right, if you wish, to appear in person at the tribunal to state your case. Most of the anecdotes I hear suggest that appearing in person is a very good idea.

 

Hopefully all will go well for you on the 13th March, and you can ignore everything I've written. But it's always best to be prepared.