Thank You BW I Remain in the ESA Supoport Group

Hi Bro

That is the theory, however my SG award was made on 30th August 2012 by an Atos nurse employee. As you know I did not hear from the DWP themselves until January 2013 and the DWP are taking my award from the 30th August, not from when I was migrated over to ESA from IB, which did not take effect until February 2013.

I have just had to submit a new ESA form so it seems as though they can do what they like.

madcatwoman wrote: Hi Bro

That is the theory, however my SG award was made on 30th August 2012 by an Atos nurse employee. As you know I did not hear from the DWP themselves until January 2013 and the DWP are taking my award from the 30th August, not from when I was migrated over to ESA from IB, which did not take effect until February 2013.

I have just had to submit a new ESA form so it seems as though they can do what they like.

Yes mcw,

As you may recall we have discussed this previously, and we are aware that people are receiving a new ESA50 for a reassessment much earlier than they would expect to.

However, even though a reassessment can be instigated any time after 3 months of an award, that does not make it right.

As you may recall, a friend of mine received their ESA50 some 4 to 5 months before the end of the prognosis period, queried and challenged it and was successful in having the reassessment stopped.

Of course, it would obviously depend on The WCA team that one was dealing with.

bro58

Hi

I asked for an escalation and got no joy, I was told quite simply to fill it in or else and my MP never even bothered replying to my email so hey ho here we go. You are of course completely right, what they are doing is highly immoral but appears to be quite legal and there is nothing we can do but play along. I wish I could tell them where to stick their ESA but I cannot afford to sadly.

madcatwoman wrote: Hi

I asked for an escalation and got no joy, I was told quite simply to fill it in or else and my MP never even bothered replying to my email so hey ho here we go. You are of course completely right, what they are doing is highly immoral but appears to be quite legal and there is nothing we can do but play along. I wish I could tell them where to stick their ESA but I cannot afford to sadly.

Hi mcw,

It just goes to prove the inconsistencies from one BDC to another.

My friend had it sorted over the phone very quickly, with a verbal apology, and written apologies to follow from The WCA Team and ATOS.

It would still be worth people challenging this issue, whilst making a start on The ESA50.

As long as they are aware that unless they receive something in writing to the contrary, they should fill the ESA50 in, and return it by the deadline.

bro58

Hi

I honestly think people are too scared to challenge them Bro. I phoned the DWP for an explanation when the new ESA50 form turned up because I was convinced that a mistake had been made. I was accused of being uppity on the phone simply for asking for a reason why. And this must have been noted on the screen because when I phoned up the next day for an escalation the senior woman who phoned me back asked if I had phoned the previous day.

I am now paranoid I have been labelled as a troublemaker or someone who will have their claim denied, I know it sounds really stupid but I am too scared to rock the boat anymore. If my MP had bothered to get back in touch with me I might have been willing to pursue it further but it's a lonely and scary place to be in on your own.

We are at the mercy of Atos and the DWP and whilst the ESA is anything but a king's ransom, for many people it's all they have. Also when you are ill or in pain you don't always have the strength to fight back. I have never been defeatist but this system has me cowed down. If I ever win the lottery I will take great delight in telling them what they can do with their ESA lol.

madcatwoman wrote: Hi

I honestly think people are too scared to challenge them Bro. I phoned the DWP for an explanation when the new ESA50 form turned up because I was convinced that a mistake had been made. I was accused of being uppity on the phone simply for asking for a reason why. And this must have been noted on the screen because when I phoned up the next day for an escalation the senior woman who phoned me back asked if I had phoned the previous day.

I am now paranoid I have been labelled as a troublemaker or someone who will have their claim denied, I know it sounds really stupid but I am too scared to rock the boat anymore. If my MP had bothered to get back in touch with me I might have been willing to pursue it further but it's a lonely and scary place to be in on your own.

We are at the mercy of Atos and the DWP and whilst the ESA is anything but a king's ransom, for many people it's all they have. Also when you are ill or in pain you don't always have the strength to fight back. I have never been defeatist but this system has me cowed down. If I ever win the lottery I will take great delight in telling them what they can do with their ESA lol.

Hi mcw,

I understand totally, and it will depend of the individual.

I always use a calm assertive approach when dealing with "These" people. (ATOS/DWP).

Obviously, knowledge is a major issue, as if I know I am right, they are told so.

People should not be afraid of challenging ATOS/DWP, although I fully understand why they may not wish to do so.

bro58