IB TO ESA MEDICAL

A

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I would start by having a look at our ESA Claim guides

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

These explain how to complete the ESA50, I know you have already returned yours, but we find that a lot of claimants have taken the questions on the form as verbatim when there are actually differences between the form and the ESA Descriptors and Regulations which you are actually assessed against.

Towards the back of each guide is details of the questions likely to be asked at your assessment. I have to warn you that most will see obtuse and unrelated to what you have been asked on the form, this is deliberate; much of the recommendation that ATOS will make with regard to an award is the result of assumptions based on your answers to these questions.

As an example; if you answer "yes" to the question "do you watch TV?" without qualification, the assessor will likely assume that you can sit for long periods of time, that you have no problem with your sight or hearing and that you have good concentration.

If you have any further questions please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Creaky wrote: Thanks for pointing me in the right way to help me with the medical but I am not sure when people talk about being put in a Support Group, can you tell me what this means please. I am reading up on all the points but am I correct in assuming I can ask for the medical to be recorded or that I can make a recording on my mobile.

Hope all this doesnt seem stupid but I am totally unprpared for this

ESA has two groups, the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) and the Support Group (SG).

The WRAG is points based, you need to score a total of 15 points or more across all of the ESA Descriptors to be placed in it.

To be placed in the SG you need to meet one of the SG Descriptors, many of these (but not all) correspond to the 15 point Descriptors for the WRAG.

Members of the WRAG are required to do Work Related Activity to prepare them for a return to the workplace, however, you are not required to work or to seek work. Members of the SG do not have to do this WRA, but can volunteer if they wish.

You can ask for the assessment to be recorded there is a template letter in the guides and a MS-Word document in the same section. You can covertly record the interview yourself, but you need to be aware that if you are found to be doing so, the assessor will terminate the appointment and you will be classed as a no-show, so be careful doing it.

Gordon