Esa form

[onestressedwoman]

Recieved my ESA FORM

 

What a joke

 

I have multiple co morbidities and this form really doesn't relate to and health conditions at all baring cancer -

 

can I walk up 2 steps (unbelievable) a person of 90 can do this a person with narcalepsy can do this

 

Are they fit for work.

 

They ask when my last appointment at the hospital was so I listed all the appointments I have had in this last month 7 of them

 

haven't really got a clue how to fill this in !

 

Can anyone help with this question - hospital clinic or special treatment ?

 

am I having or waiting for any hospital or clinic treatment which needs me to stay overnight?

 

Well I am in clinic as you can see from above between 3/8 times a month does this count?

as I do not stay over night?

 

As it is clear I am only at the beginning of this ridiculous form I have the feeling I will be asking more clarification from someone in the know at CAG

 

Stress Stress and more Stress

 

OSW

[Nystagmite]

It would count, yes.

 

If you're not sure whether it will count, put it down anyway.

[onestressedwoman]

So far I have given up on the tick boxes and gone to the extra information page and have listed all of my consultants 12 so far and have written what they treat me for along side ?

 

Feel like I'm making a pigs ear out of this

[mr_mastiff]

So far I have given up on the tick boxes and gone to the extra information page and have listed all of my consultants 12 so far and have written what they treat me for along side ?

 

Feel like I'm making a pigs ear out of this

 

Hi, do not be afraid to give more information. I used about an extra 10 typed sheets of A4 paper with mine.

 

Make sure that you put your national insurance number and name on each sheet of paper. Take each question one at a time. Set yourself a limit each day. Do not try to complete it all in one go!

 

use the following to match your condition with the descriptors.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf

 

Make sure you include a list of all your medications. Add what each medication is for and how you reaction when you have taken them. My pharmacist at the local chemist was very helpful when I did this.

 

Make sure you answer each question fully. Better to give to much detail than to little.

 

Make sure you include any adaptations that have been done in your home to help you cope with your condition. for example hand rails, ramps, walk in showers etc

 

When writing about your condition write what you can do on your worse day but also include what you can do on your best day.

 

I hope this helps. if you need help with how to word things then get back to the forum.

[estellyn]

Yes, whatever you write needs to be with the descriptors in mind, both WRAG and support group and also if working would worsen your condition, make sure you write about that, and how it would worsen it.

[**Margaret**]

:onestressedwoman:

 

Right; deep breaths and back to square one.

 

Pages 2 and 3 of;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?382146-ATOS-assessment-journey

 

And in the Atos scrutiny guide (MED-MSRSR&SG01) guidance to Atos personnel is that they should accept 'defaced' questionnaires.

 

CAG has a guide (still relevant despite the 03/11 form) to completion of an ESA50 at;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?316210-ESA50-Guide

 

And if you need some help with the mental health part there's an excellent guide on Rethink's site, together with some tips about supportive evidence.

 

Unfortunately any number of hospital outpatient appointments without an overnight stay don't count, even though (in my opinion) too many impact on capability for work.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[onestressedwoman]

Well so far I have completed page 17 and have written 4 A4 sides of extra info on what are my illnesses and effects but may have to re draft once I have read through links and descriptors

 

As suggested I am going to leave it for today and start again tomorrow my fingers hurt from writing and hands are extremely swollen now anyway.

 

I am stupid though these forms freighten me so much I have put it off till now and the deadline is 2nd mind you that gives me the weekend and if I send it recorded delivery on monday it should get there in time god willing !

 

I will start again in the morning and be back to you to let you know how difficult I am finding it

 

Thats all I have done today and I've been up since 10 and I'm totally exhausted

 

Sleep on this occassion may be a cure for todays woes

 

Thank you people - It is so good to have people to offer advice and kind words also reminding me to pace myself

 

OSW

[onestressedwoman]

Right I have started reading as suggested

 

I can safely say my diesease (primary) uncontrolled by drugs they only try to manage it I have had incidences even when taking profelactic meds

 

My condition does vary as do my ability to use my hands arms and legs at times

 

My neurological problems cause me to have severe migrainous pain syndrome which at no notice can cause me to lose vision in one eye wonder if this would be taken into consideration ? I was admitted to A&E for this so it is recorded but how would I go about getting report from hospital?

 

My heart is pounding I have to get this finished by tomorrow and I havent even nearly started

 

Has anyone ever filled in there claim and been qualified without medical ?

Edited September 27, 2013 by onestressedwoman

[mr_mastiff]

Right I have started reading as suggested

 

I can safely say my diesease (primary) uncontrolled by drugs they only try to manage it I have had incidences even when taking profelactic meds

 

My condition does vary as do my ability to use my hands arms and legs at times

 

My neurological problems cause me to have severe migrainous pain syndrome which at no notice can cause me to lose vision in one eye wonder if this would be taken into consideration ? I was admitted to A&E for this so it is recorded but how would I go about getting report from hospital?

 

My heart is pounding I have to get this finished by tomorrow and I havent even nearly started

 

Has anyone ever filled in there claim and been qualified without medical ?

 

Yes I have. Just fill in the form at the present time, Simply record each of your problems and there effects on you. State what as happened to you but only include the names and addresses of your consultants at this time.

If you state what your conditions are and there effects, if you require further proof at a later stage then that is the time to get medical notes etc.

 

Simply answer each question. what help do you need when you go out of the house, do you need someone with you? does your eyesight make you unsafe to go out on your own.

 

Do your migraines cause you to become unsafe, have you collapsed, how long do they last for, what medication are you on for this. Your condition is uncontrolled give a list of medications that the doctors have tried.

How does it being uncontrolled effect your safety.

 

Take each part and break it down to how it effects you.

 

I lived in a state of panic whilst filling in mine so I know how you feel. There are a lot of people who will help you so get back to us if you need help.

[Nystagmite]

If you use any aids, explain the limitations of them. If you can't use aids, explain why.

[onestressedwoman]

WOW

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?382146-ATOS-assessment-journey/page3

 

What a thread

 

Here's me thinking my 4 page waffle on 3 of the components of my 12 component history thus far was too much - I will type now though as my handwriting is terrible and I can no longer stand the swelling That way what may end up being 12 pages should condence into 6

 

Estellyn your a star ! I just need to keep plodding onwards I suppose

 

Will post again if I get stuck might be an idea if I put my future posts on the above thread though ??? so it is all in one place - what you reckon

 

Smiles

 

OSW

[onestressedwoman]

Yes I have. Just fill in the form at the present time, Simply record each of your problems and there effects on you. State what as happened to you but only include the names and addresses of your consultants at this time.

If you state what your conditions are and there effects, if you require further proof at a later stage then that is the time to get medical notes etc.

 

Simply answer each question. what help do you need when you go out of the house, do you need someone with you? does your eyesight make you unsafe to go out on your own.

 

Do your migraines cause you to become unsafe, have you collapsed, how long do they last for, what medication are you on for this. Your condition is uncontrolled give a list of medications that the doctors have tried.

How does it being uncontrolled effect your safety.

 

Take each part and break it down to how it effects you.

 

I lived in a state of panic whilst filling in mine so I know how you feel. There are a lot of people who will help you so get back to us if you need help.

 

My migraines have caused me to go blind in one eye at times really scary always frieghtened the sight won't come back :/ Never have any warning

 

You know posting on CAG always relieves my panic and worry

[Nystagmite]

As well as the question on navigating and getting around outdoors, there is a question about reading which may apply to you.

[onestressedwoman]

Question ?

 

I rarely drive anymore only on "GOOD" days however if I complete this questionairre outlining the neuro difficulties I have they won't suggest my licence is withdrawn will they?

[Nystagmite]

I'm not sure on that. But they may question how can your sight be as bad as you say it is and still drive.

[onestressedwoman]

I was thinking the same thing - however I rarely do drive anymore so I am going to keep going the way I am as my husband takes me everywhere.

 

I may drive once in 6 months - Just because I have a license doesn't mean I drive - anyway wouldn't it be my GP or an optician that would detail such things to DVLA ?

[reallymadwoman]

Don't worry about other issues such as your driving licence at present, completing the form is your priority.

 

Once the form is in the post, you can concentrate on compiling any additional information you might need to hand over at the assessment or if you need to ask for a reconsideration or appeal. Post back once your form is on it's way and I'll pass on a few tips that I've picked up.

[estellyn]

Question ?

 

I rarely drive anymore only on "GOOD" days however if I complete this questionairre outlining the neuro difficulties I have they won't suggest my licence is withdrawn will they?

 

It's actually your responsibility to inform the DVLA of any medical conditions that might affect your driving, they then assess whether you can keep your license. Not informing the DVLA (or insurance company) of medical conditions could also impact your insurance.

 

Regarding your 6 (or 12) page essay. There are two important things to remember while writing it. Firstly you need to be anticipating any questions the ATOS assessor would ask you about daily life and how you cope etc, and you also need to be thinking about the descriptors you feel you meet (and any exemptions, special circumstances etc too) and making sure you have provided all of the information relevant to showing you meet these descriptors.

 

So for instance with mobility, you would make sure that within your essay are details of your daily life that reflect your mobility issues, so can you walk (or wheel) to the end of the street, get to a bus route, how far away are these things? How do you cope with shopping, do you walk or wheel from the car/bus to the store, and down the aisles or does someone push you in a chair, does someone do the shopping for you, or do you have the shopping delivered? If so how do you get the shopping from the door to the kitchen and who puts it away. Do you have a pet, and if so who takes care of the pet - walks the dog, changes the cat's litter tray, feeds the pets. Do you have stairs to deal with in your property, or when going in and out of your property and how do you deal with those?

 

With your conditions, you want to give a brief history and detail treatments/meds/side effects, including any tried and stopped and the reason why, and how this condition impacts your day to day life. You can either work in the information for the descriptors into the paragraphs about the conditions and/or do a separate 'daily life' section'.

 

I am in the process of writing a short guide for writing the additional info essay, but have had to put it on hold due to health issues. Any questions you have on how to deal with any particular descriptor or any part of the essay, I'll be happy to provide any insight I can.

[onestressedwoman]

Right I have written 7 pages detailing my illness/disablities outlining them in lists of medical specialties detailing when they first occurred and symptoms cause and effects giving examples of situation.

 

Now I came back to the form and its still bloody difficult

 

I am sure in all that I have written it will detail anything they need to know or may wish to ask but I suppose I am still oblidged to write in the boxes and tick where they want me to -

Do you think I could gt away with ticking it varies please see extra information sheet on everything ?

[reallymadwoman]

Only tick the boxes if they fit you perfectly - if they don't, scribble your answer at the side.

 

e.g. I think on the 'going out' question there's no option for 'never' so most people would tick the next nearest description and then have to explain to a tribunal why what they say in the assessment contradicts what they wrote on the form .....

 

You are under no obligation to tick anything or confine your answers to their tiny boxes. If what you want to write doesn't fit write outside the boxes and up and down the margins if you need to. You don't get any points for being tidy!

[onestressedwoman]

As I have so many co morbidities as I have detailed them in my illnesses and disabilities I had to outline how each one affects me which really answers the tick boxes really but it would mean them pulling the information out of the diagnosis's Ive listed maybe if I write please see extra info on all boxes then the will be oblidged to read it in full

[reallymadwoman]

As I have so many co morbidities as I have detailed them in my illnesses and disabilities I had to outline how each one affects me which really answers the tick boxes really but it would mean them pulling the information out of the diagnosis's Ive listed maybe if I write please see extra info on all boxes then the will be oblidged to read it in full

 

You would hope so.

[onestressedwoman]

You would hope so.

 

 

hahahahahahhaha Some hope and no hope maybe be closer to the truth

[reallymadwoman]

Despite assurances to the contrary from DWP and ATOS senior management, I have it in writing that any 'additional sheets' are simply placed on file for the HCP to (not) read before your assessment.

 

Realistically, they simply do not have sufficient staff to thoroughly read and digest every form that gets sent in. I'm fairly sure they do a basic scan of your reported conditions, check to see if your medication seems appropriate and then chuck you at random into 'fit for work', 'WRAG', 'Support' or 'face to face'. Trouble is the WRAG and Support group piles are through 27 hoops, each of which is smaller than the last, so not much gets there.

[squirrelly Whirley]

When filling in my own ESA, (it took me over 3 weeks), I mentioned how good days could quickly turn bad. Given the fairly critical nature of my own health condition, I experience some alarming symptoms even on what I would term a good-day. When talking to my welfare rights officer, I was told to provide information in the forms about my condition on the very worst days.

 

You mention having problems with the following question:

Are you having or waiting for any hospital or clinic treatment which needs you to stay overnight or longer?

 

Cross the 'No' box, but use the larger text box to provide a detailed account of your hospital and clinic visits. Tell them about the acute nature of your condition, and that while you may be a day-patient, that could change at a moment's notice. Tell them that your condition requires that you see consultants and specialists up to 8 times a month (I think that easily qualifies as more than just regular checkups)

 

I'm so used to being out of breath that I barely notice it. I stop for a few minutes, then continue as best I can. When filling in the ESA, you owe it to yourself to represent yourself fully and with no omissions. After completing the ESA form, I felt like I'd written War and Peace, but if you don't tell them about problems you encounter, they won't be able to consider them at your ATOS medical, or (if ATOS give you the same zero-points they give everybody else), the follow-up Appeal.

 

 

There are a few questions that seem almost too simplistic:

- Can you walk up two stairs with a handrail?

- Could you move a large, light cardboard box?

 

These are NOT trick questions, they relate to complex symptoms you might experience under certain specialised circumstances.

 

I have heart failure. Any activity, including climbing stairs, gets me seriously out of breath. I stay on the 3rd floor of a tenement. Getting to my own front door means a lot of pauses while I catch my breath and rest. It takes me up to half an hour for my breathing to return to normal.

 

The cardboard box question looked like a joke. Initially I thought I'd have no problems maneouvering an empty box. Now, consider moving that empty box when your arms, shoulders and upper-back muscles are entirely exhausted - that's a different matter.

 

One of the biggest points about my condition is that I get exhausted very quickly. I've never been stupid enough to try moving a box when I'm in an exhausted state because of the danger of dropping it and breaking something.

 

When you are asked about performing a task, you have to tell them if you can do these tasks safely, repeatedly AND easily within a given time-span. Personally, I had never looked at these questions twice, but it was pointed out here on the CAG website, that there's more to them first meets the eye.

 

A lot of the questions allow you to answer "it varies". Where this is relevant to your condition, tell them about your worst day.