Letter for Medical

My wife has out of the blue received a letter to go for a medical on 14 May 2014.
She is at present in the support group and has been for 2 and a half. Years.
In November 2013 she got a medical form to complete. This was returned. In December. 2013 and she was informed in January 2014 she was still placed in the support group..
My wife is 61 and not worked for 8 years . Has suffered a heart attack in the past and a stroke in the last 18 months as well as depression for many years. This letter has effected her state of mine and illnesses. I would ask can they do a medical with out a up date on her health completing another medical form.
I am thinking of ringing them up or write to them about this matter.
My wife is due her pension next year and her state of health no one will employ her

JIMO wrote: My wife has out of the blue received a letter to go for a medical on 14 May 2014.
She is at present in the support group and has been for 2 and a half. Years.
In November 2013 she got a medical form to complete. This was returned. In December. 2013 and she was informed in January 2014 she was still placed in the support group..
My wife is 61 and not worked for 8 years . Has suffered a heart attack in the past and a stroke in the last 18 months as well as depression for many years. This letter has effected her state of mine and illnesses. I would ask can they do a medical with out a up date on her health completing another medical form.
I am thinking of ringing them up or write to them about this matter.
My wife is due her pension next year and her state of health no one will employ her

Hi J,

It is not impossible but it would be most unusual to undergo a fresh ESA WCA without an ESA50 being issued.

Were you informed in writing by The DWP of the latest SG award in Jan 2014 ?

The minimum recommended period before reassessment (the prognosis) of an ESA award is 3 months.

However, you can be reassessed any time after the minimum 3 months prognosis.

As ATOS do seem to be in turmoil at this time, and as they are currently working to try and reduce the back log of assessments that have accumulated, this F2F appointment could have been made in error tied to the ESA50 sent back in Dec 2013.

Are you sure that the notice that you received in Jan 2014 was an actual Decision Notice letter awarding SG once more, or was it just the annual benefit upgrading letter informing claimants of the annual rise in their benefits from 07/04/14 ?

You need to contact The DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA, to find out whether your wife received a fresh award of ESA in Jan 2014.

You can also contact ATOS (preferably by e-mail to create a paper trail)

Phone : 0113 230 9175. or 0800 2888 777 Or E-Mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To query the above.

You can re-arrange a face to face appointment once with ATOS if that will help.

If you are not happy with the responses you receive you could contact your M.P.

Contacting your MP

If it turns out that this F2F assessment has not been made in error and is tied to The ESA50 of Nov2013, your wife will have little choice but to attend the assessment. (or a rearranged one) or face the risk of her ESA being stopped for failure to attend.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Hi J,

The forum is now closed to new posts until 2PM tomorrow.

You can reply to this topic then if you have further queries.

bro58

Just to clear a few points up . My wife sent a completed ESA50 In on 3/11/2013.
On 3/2/2014 she received a letter headed YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE. Change of rates from 7/4/2014 and on page 3 stated the money and support group she is in. The letter is very misleading as it seems it is not a letter of award.
However when my wife goes for her medical face to face the ESA50 from November 2013 will be 7 months old and not a up to date of her illnesses.
I will contact DWP on Tuesday and email ATOS and will keep you informed.

JIMO wrote: Just to clear a few points up . My wife sent a completed ESA50 In on 3/11/2013.
On 3/2/2014 she received a letter headed YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE. Change of rates from 7/4/2014 and on page 3 stated the money and support group she is in. The letter is very misleading as it seems it is not a letter of award.
However when my wife goes for her medical face to face the ESA50 from November 2013 will be 7 months old and not a up to date of her illnesses.
I will contact DWP on Tuesday and email ATOS and will keep you informed.

Hi J,

Thanks for the update.

You are not alone, many of our members in a similar situation were confused by the annual uprating letters earlier on this year.

They also wrongly assumed that they were Decision Notice Award letters.

If your wife has good reasons for not being able to attend an Assessment Centre, a letter of support from your G.P. may help.

Unfortunately, if ATOS still insist that she attends, she will have little choice as previously advised.

If your wife has any mobility problems, you can check accessibility of the Assessment Centre in question : Here.

i.e. Some Assessment Centres are not on the ground floor with level access.

bro58

Hi
Just a further update on my wife's letter for medical.
I rang DWP today to check the letter my wife received for her medical was correct and point out that they were using information given 7months ago. The response given was that's the way they work and ATOS decide on the medicals . I said before the medical starts I will present a letter to ATOS stating the details in the form are out of date and give a update of my wife's health. I was told do it if you want and that the DWP have a large back log which I am aware of.
I have also contacted ATOS to request a female to do the assessment and for it to be recorded because 2 year ago my wife's assessment and report was a total mess. They have taken a note of the requests and are not sure if they can do a recording. They said the date may have to be rearranged but have said if it can not be recorded my wife still wishes to go head with the medical..
My wife has seen her GP today who is making a urgent referral to the local hospital for a new illness which is of concern and is more worry on top of her other illnesses coupled with this medical coming up.
Sorry if this is a bit long winded.
I will keep you updated.