summertrain wrote: Finally got my ESA85A.
Advice: I advise the client meets support group criteria as they have severe functioning disability.
Prognosis: I advise thast work could be considered in 12 months
This advice was given by a Registered Nurse who is a "healthcare profeessional approved by the DWP."
How the hell can they consider someone who in their own words has a severe functioning disability would be miraculously able to seek work after a year?
Hi st,
This is just one of the idiosyncrasies of ESA.
The 12 months is "the prognosis", a recommendation by the ATOS HCP of when you should be reassessed.
I must say that it is not one of the normal prognoses for The SG, as they tend to be from 2-3 years, 3 years being the maximum.
The DWP state that even where claimants have a chronic progressive medical condition, they still need to be reassessed at regular intervals, as they may have learned to adapt better to their limitations, or there may be newer better drugs or procedures available. (Their words not mine)
They also state that to leave someone languishing on ESA, (on the scrapheap) is not right nor fair.
This is why it is known as the ESA Merry-Go-Round, although it is not "Merry" in any way, shape or form.
Unfortunately, the length of a prognosis cannot be legally challenged, as can be the length of a fixed term DLA award, as the prognosis is only a recommendation, and does not legally form part of any ESA award.
In theory, any ESA award is actually indefinite.
Of course the final say on how long a prognosis should be sits with The DWP DM, in reality they tend to abide by the ATOS HCP's recommendation.
If you have a 12 months prognosis, you can expect to receive a new ESA50 6-8 weeks before the end of this period.
bro58
