DWP medical assessments

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Posted this in chat before having astonishingly good idea of putting it in this section.

Was getting contributions based ESA for a while, it stopped in December (am too mentally disordered to get sick notes, send them in etc., in fact if was coping well enough to do that would probably be working) so is it worth keeping the appointment they have sent? If I do show up, what can I expect?

[KalokiMallow]

It is worth keeping the appointment, do you have someone who can go with you?

It isn't particularly fun, we had an assessor who didn't cover most of the questions he needed to, they also, irritatingly, will assume that the state you are in at the assessment is the worst state you are usually in. (Ignoring the fact that with mental health problems you'll have had to psyche yourself up to go)

So do go when you are feeling really awful, shit as it is, they need to see it.

I'd recommend having a look at how points are awarded too, so that you can try and remember all the the problems you have that are relevant. Points here

If you can get someone to go with you, show them as well, so they can remind you if you forget.

They are fairly crap at dealing with mental health issues, so you may be turned down, but you will have a chance to appeal.

For this it is probably worth getting a note from your doctor. I would also talk to Mind about getting their help.

Really hope it's not too bad for you, and that you are doing ok at the moment.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Thanks, that is really really helpful. I blame myself, I get dla high care low mobility and when initially claiming over the phone the esa person said 'ah you will probably go in the something group, people who are not expected to return to work' and I said no no I want to be in the helped to get back to work group. Worked for myself though, hard to imagine any employer taking me on.

I think I will find it all very humiliating and am cross that it is on a Saturday and my cpn won't be able to come.

[KalokiMallow]

It's stupid isn't it, DH said the same, that he'd like to work. And they took it as he could work.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

I've never claimed anything like this before, not even tax credits, so I suppose I do assume they will just give me the benefit of the doubt. Have been given quite big sum of direct payment money which am using for work related activity - could this count against my claim?

For, what was it, £65 a week? am not sure it is worth the trauma. But why else did I pay in excess of voluntary NI contributions all that time.

[snowmash]

It is worth going.

People on HRC and HRM are not getting in the support group for ESA (I'm in the last group to be transferred as I'm on the system pre-IB still).

Do you mean you are getting help from access to work?

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

No, I just use my direct payments to pay for therapeutic services that are loosely connected to the area I last worked in (animal care, rehab etc) by attending a care farm.

[snowmash]

I'm not sure how they view therapeutic activity (would have definitely come under therapeutic work before).

It might be useful if you need to appeal/need someone to write to them (I would have thought, any way), but hope you wont need to.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Sounds like it is all quite well designed for as many applicants as possible to fail at this hurdle, I still get the giggles about some of the questions in the capability for work form. Can you use a mobile telephone? Yes, so obviously am not only capable of working full time but am highly employable despite my severe mental disorder, multiple hospitalisations etc

[KalokiMallow]

Oh, about the therapeutic activity, they were a real arse to DH saying that as he was able to watch DVD's he was obviously not too badly affected by mental health problems.

It really is designed to stop people getting help rather than helping people who need it.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

I can see how being able to sit through a film suggests you can concentrate reasonably well, at least for an hour or so at a time. Still not the same as actual work is it?

I just did this ESA test and scored 99 points, I don't know whether to feel heartened or despair but you only need 15 to pass. Whether the decision maker awards me any points at all remains to be seen of course.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

I don't understand how they arrive at those decisions, it's awful. Is the starting assumption one of 'every claim is fraudulent until proven otherwise'?

I find the questions particularly difficult with regards to bipolar as there are three settings - high, low and euthymic. There just wasn't scope for each mood state as what is difficult when depressed is difficult when elated but for different reasons. And despite having the diagnosis for over a decade I still can't quite accept it so am the worst person to send along in defence of my claim!

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Did you appeal? Someone who works for CAB told me 70% of cases win on appeal (with an advocate) or 40% without.

It's a tricky one really because on one hand I want the financial help I'm entitled to, on the other it is demoralising to have confirmation that things are officially That Bad (as with DLA).

[Keziahhopes]

Why not insist on your cpn going, by getting someone to change the date for you? That way you can get the support of your cpn for you, show that you need someone with you to cope with it and your cpn can help prompt you with what you need.

I personally don't claim this benefit, but would hope that if I needed to that I would be supported to, and supported back to work. You claimed the DLA and therefore entitled to it, paid the contributions as you said - so why not claim? If you can use the money to support your return to work, then it is doing the job!!

People's appointments change all the time - so why not ask for an appointment change if you want your cpn there, ask for a Mon-Fri appointment.

All the best for whatever you do.

[maktaitai]

wish you all the best.

can i suggest that you think about getting any support in place you can for the period afterwards? A CPN appt for the Monday maybe, and if you see a psychiatrist and they're any good, get an appointment in place for three weeks or so afterwards when the results come?

my dh has been up to his neck in shit mentally ever since this process started. Don't want to go into details, maybe you'll cope better, I certainly hope so. His GP has gone out on a limb and said she is 100% certain his benefit will be reinstated on appeal because I'm sorry but he is NOT FIT TO WORK at the moment.

[snowmash]

I would stress the issues that mean you need HRC/LRM too...

If you join the benefits and work site, there's a very comprehensive guide on ESA for MH conditions.

If your condition is severe, lifethreatening, and not able to be controlled by treatment, you should be found to have limited capability - EDs and some other MH conditions could be covered by this.

You're also supposed to be found to have limited capability for work if you have a disability that means there would be substantial risk to self/others if you were found not to have limited capability.

It might be worth exploring the second one (what would happen if they said you could work at present? Relapse? - with what consequences)

Re: the day - if you want your CPN there, you could say that due to your MH condition/disability, you need someone with you.

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Thanks everyone. Think eldest daughter will come with, she is officially my 'carer' (haha) and thinks I am barely capable of breathing without reminders so she might be helpful.