Capability For Work Questionnaire

It’s been four months since I returned my ESA Capability for Work Questionnaire. I requested a paper-based assessment if possible, or a telephone assessment because of my conditions. But heard nothing from the DWP until today.

Today I received a letter from the Health Assessment Advisory Service, with an appointment for a video assessment at the end of next week.

I find the idea of such a thing very stressful, as I only have my mobile phone to use. I will have to get someone to set this up for me and put the camera in an appropriate position to accommodate my needs and make the interview viable.

It says the interview will last from 20 minutes to an hour, but may take longer if necessary.

It seems on the day I will have to type some details into the screen to prove who I am, including showing ID to camera—passport or driving license, a utility bill or birth certificate—no doubt assessed and scored as having been capable of such a physical action.

I’m hoping there are no technical hitches which ruin the interview and mean I have to be assessed again at a further date.

It’s all so unsettling, but I will try to report back on how things went.

Thank you for the guidance and information, Gary. Much appreciated.

I meant to update on the outcome of this video interview/claim sooner, but new, additional health issues for me got in the way. So apologies for the delay.

I had my first ever video interview for benefits in early December, two days after I suffered what at the time the A&E department I visited called a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack). I went ahead with the video interview anyway, despite still being affected by my recent health event. My fear was the delay or stoppage of my claim if I didn’t attend the interview. 

It transpired after a recent MRI scan following the “TIA” that I had actually had a minor stroke—a rare cerebellar infarction, for which I am still being tested fairly extensively.

Whether the stress of my impending video interview brought this minor stroke on is hard to say. But I had been anxious in the days leading up to the online appointment. 

I used my mobile phone camera for the interview. It was a bit fiddly to set up, but help was available. I’m quite tech savvy, but I’m sure for those who are not, preparation for such an interview could be quite challenging.

I informed the interviewer (a doctor) that since my recent reassessment claim I had had a TIA (I hadn’t at that stage had a diagnosis of minor stroke/cerebellar infarction). She noted that but said she would concentrate on the primary condition(s) I was reporting in my claim. 

The doctor was courteous and seemed to listen while inputting data quickly. It was as if she’d already decided regarding my claim. The actual interview was less stressful once begun than I imagined it would be. It concluded after about twenty minutes, and she said a letter from the DWP would notify me of the outcome. It was a great relief once the interview was over. I immediately accepted there was nothing to be done except relax into the circumstances and await the decision.

A week later, I received written confirmation that, following my recent reassessment, my ESA claim would continue until my retirement date in July. And for this, I’m profoundly grateful.

I’m also very grateful for the essential advice and compassionate support offered by this tremendous and humane website. As a resource for those navigating the minefield of the benefit system, it’s second to none. As a place of understanding and empathy for all those affected by the need to claim benefit support, it’s a lifeline. Long may it continue.

Happy New Year everybody and a big thank you to all.