Amazed!

[largemarge]

Hi all,

I commented on a previous thread about how my assessment went for ESA, the dotor was pleasant, seemed genuinely interested etc. I did point out on the other thread that i was under no illusion that i still wouldnt acheive the magic 15. Wrong! I got the letter today, saying that i have or can be treated as having limited capability for work!, and i do not need to send anymore sick notes in.

I have already been in to the jobcentre, to see an advisor and an action plan drawn up, so im not sure what happens now.

Im guessing i will have to go for more of these interviews, ive had nothing to suggest im in the support group.

Interestingly, i received a reply from nhs pensions agency last week,to say that my application to receive ill health retirement benefit had been unsuccessful;the people doing the assessment? ATOS! so now i can use the esa assessment in my appeal.

Hope this gives a bit of hope to others, miracles do happen!

best wishes,

Michelle x

[doktorjohn]

Hi Michelle

 

It's great to hear some good news, it does show that there is a chance of some sanity amongst the seemingly endless bad news. I'm pleased for you.

 

dj

[ErikaPNP]

Good stuff - and loving the username!

[RaeUK]

Yep, as said, it's good to hear the happy news when things actually go the way they should...

Best wishes

Rae

[largemarge]

thanks for all your nice comments, it goes without saying, if i can help anyone elso, please ask. Erika, my username comes from my nephew, when he was younger, he just came out with it one day, lets just say i am a larger lady, its stuck now and i think its quite funny. xxx

[ErikaPNP]

Oops! I always remember "large marge" as that scary trucker woman in the pee-wee herman movie.....

[antone]

Hi all,

I have already been in to the jobcentre, to see an advisor and an action plan drawn up, so im not sure what happens now.

Im guessing i will have to go for more of these interviews, ive had nothing to suggest im in the support group.

 

Great news!

 

If you've been placed in the Work-Related Activity Group, you will be asked to attend another 5 of these interviews. It's not supposed to be more than one per month, and you won't be coerced into applying for or taking jobs. Well, that's the theory at least. In some areas these interviews (apart from the first one, which is at a Jobcentre) are conducted by private firms and they are paid based on the number of people they get into jobs.

 

As you are aware, if you've been placed in the Support Group, attendance at these interviews is optional.

[largemarge]

Thanks for that Antone, i had another letter telling me that im in the work related group, but nothing about when the sessions will start. I went to the first one at the jobcentre, and given info on the 2 companies that are in this area that i could choose from. One of them appeared in there leaflet more geared up for people with chronic health problems such as mine.

I contacted dwp with regards to mortgage interest payments, i didnt realise they were only available to people on inome related esa, not contribution based as myself. can anyone explain why this is so, or am i missing something that is obvious (blonde senior moment lol)

best wishes to all x

[cbbc]

Hi, I'm in the work related group too.

I already had all of my pathways to work interviews while waiting for my tribunal.

I recieved a letter from ATOS 2 weeks after winning my tribunal inviting me to an interview and I thought that it was all starting again and boy did I panic, but was advised by the good people on here that it was only to talk about work expectations and not another medical.

The day before the interview I recieved a hand written note cancelling the interview and have heard nothing since.

I'm not sure what happens to me now or for how long my claim runs for.

[jabba jones]

I contacted dwp with regards to mortgage interest payments, i didnt realise they were only available to people on inome related esa, not contribution based as myself. can anyone explain why this is so, or am i missing something that is obvious (blonde senior moment lol)

best wishes to all x

 

Income based is means tested, Conts based isn't

[antone]

Thanks for that Antone, i had another letter telling me that im in the work related group, but nothing about when the sessions will start. I went to the first one at the jobcentre, and given info on the 2 companies that are in this area that i could choose from. One of them appeared in there leaflet more geared up for people with chronic health problems such as mine.

I contacted dwp with regards to mortgage interest payments, i didnt realise they were only available to people on inome related esa, not contribution based as myself. can anyone explain why this is so, or am i missing something that is obvious (blonde senior moment lol)

best wishes to all x

 

I'm not sure I can explain why this disparity exists when it comes to mortgage interest. It's a matter of policy as set by Parliament. Presumably they had their reasons, but I sure as hell don't understand them.

 

One thing worth noting, though: if you would qualify for income-related ESA but don't actually get it because you get the contributory benefit instead, you could still be eligible for mortgage interest payments. This is most likely to be the case if you don't have a partner, or if you do but they don't work, earn very little, and have no other source of income.