ESA85

Hi
Hope this isn't a dumb question but i'll ask it anyway!
Having read on this forum that you should fill in each ESA50 as it's your first one and assume that they know nothing about you, is there any merit in sending in a copy of the last ESA85 with the ESA50 i'm about to send in now? Or will they have this information to hand when re-assessing me this time?
I was placed in the support group for 2 yrs (with the help of this fab forum)!! So the 2 yrs are up now and yes that dreaded brown envelope has fallen on my mat 2 weeks ago. The ESA85 does not tell me how many points I scored nor does it tell me for which descriptors I was awarded points - is there another document that I could request that will give me this information?
Apologies for the long post!!

Kind regards
Twinkle

Hi Twinkle,

Don't worry, this certainly is not an over-long post!

You are right in saying that you should assume that the Decision Maker does not have any previous information. Many records are disposed of after 18 months, so your previous paperwork might not even be available to them.

You are perfectly at liberty to submit your previous ESA85a if you think it will be helpful. You should show that your condition has not improved (if that is the case) and also that you have not adapted to your limitations in any way.

It is not unusual for the ESA85/85a to be less then informative, there is no guarantee that anything else would be any better either. In addition, it is unlikely that any paperwork requested from DWP would arrive in time for you to submit this ESA50 promptly. However, if you wish to see if any other paperwork is still on record you could submit a Subject Access Request under the Freedom of Information regulations.

Subject Access Request

Hi Mrs Hurtyback

Believe it or not but I received the ESA85 within a week of requesting it !!
Unheard of I know - DWP working faster than at a snails pace!
Yes I was disappointed that the ESA85 wasn't a little bit more informative re: the descriptors & points awarded but otherwise the content by the Dr is good. It's quite difficult conveying your illness when its a 'fluctuating' one (I have ME/Fibro/Arthritis) etc but this particular Dr had even commented on my pallour, I was having a particularly bad day anyway (thankfully I suppose) the type of day that usually I would be either in bed or on the sofa, so when she saw how much I was struggling she asked if I wanted to have the assessment lying down on their couch!!
So, in fairness my experience of ATOS is a positive one - but it doesn't stop me from worrying again now, incase i'm not as fortunate (should I be requested to attend another face-to-face) to get such an understanding and sensible Dr.

Regards
Twinkle

Don't forget that it is mainly people who are dis-satisfied who post on internet fora, as it is our nature to complain more loudly than we compliment. Many people have actually reported good experiences with ATOS and their assessment.

Yes, I agree with you Mrs Hurtyback, but what I definitely know is that had I not come across this forum and your excellent guides then I wouldn't have had a clue how to fill in the ESA50 regarding my 'fluctuating conditions'.

Please keep up the good work!

Twinkle