Dased and confused

I have been on IB-ESA for a number of years my last medical was July 2012 where I was placed in WRAG. I also had a DLA medical the week after and lost my HRM completely and my LC was increased to HC I have a number of illnesses mainly poly arthritis (osteo arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and sacral iliitis), sternoclavicular hypertosis , palmer planter pustulosis as well as many other conditions. I am on quite a few tablets and controlled drugs (CD) I was a nurse and had to be medically retired.

After seeking legal advice the solicitor asked for a reconsideration to which the DWP placed me in the support group. there was no term stated.

In November 2013 I was asked to fill in a new ESA form, never heard anything until last week and was told to go for a medical but it didn't stress wether it was for ESA or DLA, as i'm sure like most people I was confused I get very anxious and wound up going for these medicals.

My appointment was today @ 3:30pm I arrived at 3:20 with my carer, people had been waiting and delayed by 2 hours so the medical place was in uproar doctors hadn't tuned up people were asked to leave it was like the wild west.

I was called at 3:40 by a nurse didn't get her name, we walked slowly to the assessment room which was about 10m away. She asked us to take a seat then went on to say she had read my file and didn't know why I was there then said something about she didn't know why something had not been updated?? she asked me if I had any newer letters from medical staff to which I had a consultant letter, change in medication letter and a supporting letter from GP.

She then said can I photocopy them and told us to wait outsideAt 3:45 (yes 5 minutes) she came back and said thank-you I will fill the questionnaire in and advise as you have a progressive disease to remain in Support group?????

I am so confused can this be done as I always believed the nurse/doctor sent questionnaire to DWP and it is a DM who makes the decision.

Does any one have any ideas?? Im unsure wether this is good or bad. will I still need another for DLA/PIP

I am so so sorry for it being so long winded.

Regards

Dear Gordon,

How can an assessor, refer to support group if no questions were asked? Do they just fill in their own answers? do they still have to answer the discriptors?

The file she had in front of her was a brown A4, Like hospital records.

Im still on DLA awaiting conversion to PIP will they use that medical or will they need a new one.

Regards

Dear Gordon and B&W,

Received a letter today re, ESA. (only took just over 2 weeks from F2F) Standard letter saying:-

We have looked at your claim again etc...

Then on last page says usual payments with the SG included, was a bit confused as it said from 4th April 2014-24th November 2014.

I plucked up courage and rang them and asked what was it about, the guy was really good and said he didn't know why it said that, but I had been placed in the SG for 3 years as this wasn't mentioned on letter.

So thank-you all for getting me through everything I couldn't have done it without you.

I will still be visiting you daily, as i believe your help is vital to the many individuals struggling with this system.

Now its awaiting the DLA-PIP not sure when and how they are deciding on this.

Once again THANK-YOU

Little miss wrote: Dear Gordon and B&W,

Received a letter today re, ESA. (only took just over 2 weeks from F2F) Standard letter saying:-

We have looked at your claim again etc...

Then on last page says usual payments with the SG included, was a bit confused as it said from 4th April 2014-24th November 2014.

I plucked up courage and rang them and asked what was it about, the guy was really good and said he didn't know why it said that, but I had been placed in the SG for 3 years as this wasn't mentioned on letter.

So thank-you all for getting me through everything I couldn't have done it without you.

I will still be visiting you daily, as i believe your help is vital to the many individuals struggling with this system.

Now its awaiting the DLA-PIP not sure when and how they are deciding on this.

Once again THANK-YOU

Hi Lm,

Great news on The SG award with a 3 year prognosis !!

ESA Decision notice letters do not include the recommended period of an award before reassessment. (prognosis)

The November date that you speak of is seen on many ESA Decision Notice letters and is tied in with payment of The Xmas Bonus which is payable from the next pay week after the November date. (1st pay week of December)

So it is for payment administration purposes only, and nothing to do with the prognosis.

If you wish to request the documentation used in coming to the SG decision, which may be helpful at your next reassessment, have a read through : This post.

As for DLA to PIP, if you have an indefinite DLA award, you should not be invited to claim PIP until "sometime after October 2015".

However, there are huge delays with the roll out of PIP, and we do have a General Election in May 2015.

bro58