DLA health care assessment

My very first post but just wanted some advice. Was diagnosed with acute RA in 2002 which has left me disabled in complete agony on several different long term meds over the years and am now on 8 diff meds to try to control the diaease.

I was awarded dla indefinitely in nov 2012 after being on dla for the past 11 years with two previous fixed terms of 3yrs. Filled out and returned a right payment programme assessment form in may 2013 fir dla and received a letter about a dla health care professional wanting to assess me. Either in my home or medical centre. I'm not able to get to a medical centre and want to request a home visit.

I just wanted to know what to expect as I was also moved from income support to ESA wrag in sept 2012. I appealed for reconsideration last year before my appeal deadline via letter (used b&w template) for support group as i was just put into wrag with no medical even though they knew i was dla higher care and (25mtr) mobilty indefinitely and was informed with backlog that it could take up to 9 months for my appeal but heard nothing to date about my appeal/reconsideration.

I then received another ESA wca form in august to fill out which I did fully again with all detailed medical info and sent back with copy attachments on 6 sept as I didn't want to lose my current benefit of esa and have heard nothing as yet as to what group they will place me in. Surely they should had informed me about a reconsideration decision and whether it was going to appeal or have atos just assumed I'm just going into wrag anyway regardless of my appeal last year August?!

And now dla want to assess me again after assessing me once on my first claim for dla 10 years ago. I'm convinced they're only coming to check that I really am sick and disabled living in an adapted home! It infuriates me as to Why they just cant leave us disabled people alone to get on with what miserable life we have left rather than trying to force us into work and off much needed benefit. Yes I used to work but now I'm sick and disabled in excutiating agony everyday. They won't be happy until until they see us being carried out in a box ! Advice would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the long rant x

Hi and welcome to the site. This will help you find your way around

Welcome to Benefits and Work

As this is your first post and have explained the background to your question, I have allowed it. However, it would be helpful if you can keep future posts shorter, especially when they are submitted as a solid lump of text.

So, you are currently awaiting the results of a reconsideration and a more recent reassessment? You really are being put through the mill, aren't you?! Although reconsiderations can take some time, yours was submitted a year ago - which is extreme! Did you get acknowledgement of the appeal? Have you contacted DWP to find out what is happening?

DWP will have informed ATOS that you are due for ESA reassessment, the result of this reassessment will limit the length of the tribunal decision (when it is finally made). It is not unheard of for claimants to have 2 ESA appeals in the pipeline, although it is not common and I hope it does not happen in your case.

You are perfectly entitled to ask for the DLA assessment to be held in your own home. This happens quite often (unlike ESA assessments). It will strengthen your case if your GP writes a letter supporting this request.

DLA medical examination

It would be a good idea for you to bookmark this page, or make it a favourite on your web browser, so that you can find it easily in future. That will enable you to return and ask further questions as they arise, it helps us if everything is kept in one place