Failed my IB test with 0 Points! What now?

I am a new member, I wish I had joined before my IB assesment but didn't realise how much the test had changed since my last one.
I wasn't even assessed by a doctor, he was a nurse practitioner!
When the test results came back yesterday, I could not believe I had failed to score one single point, the results bear no resemblance to the problems I regularly experience in my everyday life and there are a couple of *untruths there, for example, problems with rising from sitting to standing, problems with walking, problems with bending and kneeling, I told the nurse about the difficulties I had with all those things but on the results page it just says-No Problem! and these are only a few examples, the mental health assessment is even worse.
All my benefits have been stopped and they have made an appointment for me to sign on for job seekers allowance on Wednesday, but I know I won't be able, mentally or physically to work, that's even if they manage to find me a job in the first place, I'm 55 years of age.
I don't know if I could handle the stress of an appeal though, feel like I'm falling apart at the moment and don't know what to do next.
Be grateful for any advice.

You need to appeal with 1 month of the decision notice. You do this by submitting a GL24 from Here . There is also a wealth of information about appealing an adverse IB decision in the Members Section.

You could also get a medical certificate from your doctor and then apply for ESA instead of JSA while you are appealing.

I am in the same position I scored 0 points and didn't recognise the comments in the report, I thought they had sent me wrong one by accident, it bore no resemblence to what was discussed. Also they missed out complete sections of the mental health part so was confused on how they scored it. I immediately appealsed and continue to receive the assessment phase of the ESA so recommend you appeal immediately. My medical was in january and am still waiting for the tribunal. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel, I also thought I had been sent the wrong report, but please dont despair, telephone welfare rights and they will let you know your nearest solicitor who specialise in welfare benefit. I dont know your financial position, but they will be able to prepare a submission for you for the appeal, and let you know if you are able to have legal aid to finance the cost. They will not be able to represent you, but having a written submission presented to the tribunal, and then having someone with you, which can be friend or family for support as oral hearings have better success, then I'm sure you will be ok. Citizens Advice will also be able to help you, but are sometimes really busy, and you will have at least six months to feel stronger to cope with the appeal. Good luck x

lana wrote:

I am a new member, I wish I had joined before my IB assesment but didn't realise how much the test had changed since my last one.
I wasn't even assessed by a doctor, he was a nurse practitioner!
When the test results came back yesterday, I could not believe I had failed to score one single point, the results bear no resemblance to the problems I regularly experience in my everyday life and there are a couple of *untruths there, for example, problems with rising from sitting to standing, problems with walking, problems with bending and kneeling, I told the nurse about the difficulties I had with all those things but on the results page it just says-No Problem! and these are only a few examples, the mental health assessment is even worse.
All my benefits have been stopped and they have made an appointment for me to sign on for job seekers allowance on Wednesday, but I know I won't be able, mentally or physically to work, that's even if they manage to find me a job in the first place, I'm 55 years of age.
I don't know if I could handle the stress of an appeal though, feel like I'm falling apart at the moment and don't know what to do next.
Be grateful for any advice.

If you decide to appeal the adverse IB decision, you will not be able to claim ESA.

From 28 June 2010, the amendment inserts a new subsection into regulation 30 of the ESA Regulations. This will preclude a claimant from getting ESA pending assessment under the WCA within 6 months of a decision that s/he is capable (or treated as capable) of work. However, Regulation 30(3) is not amended, so that pursing an appeal against such a decision does not exempt the claimant from the 'six month rule'.

What this means is that in short, IB/IS claimants who fail the PCA will no longer be entitled to be paid ESA while appealing. Their options will revert to the pre-ESA position of claiming IS reduced by 20%, or JSA.