The ESA 50 and questions at a F2F

Everybody transferring to ESA or renewing an award will have submitted an ESA 50 to ATOS. An increasing number of claimants are doing far more than tick boxes and write a few hurried words in reply to each relevant question. An ATOS doctor is supposed to have read the ESA 50 to determine whether a claimant requires a face-to-face interview with an HCP. If a claimant is called for a face-to-face, can he/she respond to the HCP’s question by referring him/her to the answer given in the ESA 50?

MW

Hi Mari,

The questions at a face2face assessment do not correspond closely to those on the ESA50. At the f2f it is more likely that the assessor will ask general questions about the claimant's daily activities and extrapolate these to answer the descriptors.

ESA Medical – What to expect

If the claimant is able to refer back to the ESA50 when answering the f2f questions, they are perfectly at liberty to do so - but they should do so in a way that also answers the actual question they have been asked.

Hi Mrs HB,

My turn has not yet arrived but in drafting answers I have used the specifics of the ESA 50 (e.g. pressing a button, reaching to a certain level, picking up and moving objects) to discuss day-to-day limitations and hazards with reference to these and comparable activities. Basically, I’ve covered my daily life. If called to a f2f I would take a copy of my ESA50. The chances are the answer would be in there.

MW