Hi there I was put into the support group on appeal late last year. I was originally placed in WRAG. Both decisions were made without a medical. My Macmillan Advisor is now arguing that I should apply for DLA. Given that ATOS are now employed to assess applications, I'm not sure I have the energy to fight them again. More importantly I was wondering whether a DLA application (particularly if unsuccessful) might undermine my existing ESA award? Any experience of this would be helpful. Apologies if this is covered elsewhere - I couldn't spot!
Jade wrote: Hi there I was put into the support group on appeal late last year. I was originally placed in WRAG. Both decisions were made without a medical. My Macmillan Advisor is now arguing that I should apply for DLA. Given that ATOS are now employed to assess applications, I'm not sure I have the energy to fight them again. More importantly I was wondering whether a DLA application (particularly if unsuccessful) might undermine my existing ESA award? Any experience of this would be helpful. Apologies if this is covered elsewhere - I couldn't spot!
The ESA tests tend to be stricter than the equivalent DLA ones, however it is only the mobility tests that truly overlap and even then being in the Support Group for ESA Mobility will not necessarily result in a DLA Mobility award.
Decision Makers are entitled to use the results of a medical for one benefit in reviewing another, but I do not think we have heard of a failed DLA claim being used to re-assess an ESA, although it certainly happens the other way around.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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