THE FULL FACTS

I have been on Incapacity benefit for 9 years and was awarded both components of low rate DLA earlier this year.Recently got the ESA50 form and filled it in and sent it back about 2 weeks ago,today I got a letter asking me to make an appointment for a medical or they will make one for me!Sounds to me like they havent looked at my ESA50 form in any great detail as when my previous Incapacity reviews I didnt hear from them for months after submitting my form.I suffer from severe anxiety/depression,Psoriasis/Psoriatic arthritis,OCD and Sciatica amongst other things.Just a few questions and im sorry if its been covered before.
1)Is my DLA award in March of this year not taken into consideration as they awarded me it for 5 years or do I have to face a possible situation of DLA department awarding DLA but ESA department say im fit for work?What happens to my DLA if ESA say im fit for work?Is there grounds for appeal/legal action in this situation as one of the government departments are wrong?

2)If I make the appointment tomorrow,how long in average until the appointment and how long after the medical until I hear the result?

Thanks

Award of DLA is not taken into account for ESA claims (ridiculous as it may sound). As your DLA is already awarded, they can't take it away from you, not until the new PIP replacement which doesn't come in until 2014 and for which you must face a further reassessment.
If you're found fit for work after 9 years on IB then you should certainly appeal. You have a mix of physical and mental descriptors which should (though I'm not an expert) see you get into one of the ESA groups.



That is great variable depending on where you live, how big the backlog is, things like that. You should hear the result after a few weeks at most (you should nag them until it arrives).

There is a technique for filling in the ESA50 to your best advantage - there are guides here in this forum, it may be that you didn't do yourself full justice when you filled it in. However, get as much medical evidence as you can, and have a look at the guide to how to behave at the WCA (also here?).

_________________
Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) - Download pdf
• ESA50 2013 NEW - Download pdf
• ESA113 (03/11) - Download pdf (DWP Form sent to Dr to complete for ESA)

Information:

• Claim Form and medical guide - (Download pdf)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy support list
• Support Group Criteria
• ilegal guide to ESA50 questionnaire
• Turn2us - access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact your local MP
• 2012 WCA handbook pdf
• ATOS official complaints procedure pdf

general concensus is that they rarely study esa50 before requesting a medical. This is not just supposition but the word of an ex-decision maker that I knew.

Ditto advice above. Lots of help here for filling in form... get the guides. If you're not sure what you can PM me.

When you do fill in form DO IT ONLINE.

Thanks for the replies,took my time filling out the form and referred to several sources on the internet.Will be concentrating on the medical to get as many tips as possible.Nerves are shattered!

the wca ( work capability assessment) handbook used by atos is available here. In many posts ( mine included) you will get guidance/ insight into how it all happens. There are so many issues. e.g if they keep you waiting for half an hour they will assume you can sit for half an hour. If you say you drove there they will assume you can cope with driving however far it is, ditto walking from car park.
I have a list of the standard questions they ask. e.g do you watch TV? The follow up to this maybe what do you watch? You say films mostly, or football. They then assume you can sit and concentrate for however long that is.

So take time to read posts and feel free to contact me.

How long until you hear back from them after a medical?I had my medical two weeks ago and still havent heard anything?Saying that though under the old Incapacity medical I didnt hear nothing back for months.

If you're already getting benefit, I would keep your head down and let them reply in their own sweet time.

_________________
Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) - Download pdf
• ESA50 2013 NEW - Download pdf
• ESA113 (03/11) - Download pdf (DWP Form sent to Dr to complete for ESA)

Information:

• Claim Form and medical guide - (Download pdf)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy support list
• Support Group Criteria
• ilegal guide to ESA50 questionnaire
• Turn2us - access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact your local MP
• 2012 WCA handbook pdf
• ATOS official complaints procedure pdf

Almost a month now and I still havent heard anything,im also in the process of moving house which i have informed Incapacity and DLA departments,however my old address is on that medical assessment gobblygook so I dont want my results turning up at my old address!Will they update my address to whoever is dealing with my medical assessment?

get a postal redirection for 6 months