ESA telephone appointment

Hi Callista

I'm assuming your husband is your carer but not your official appointee.

If I'm correct - then although your husband is able to support you on the call and he may well be able to do some of the talking for you - the assessor will undoubtedly want to hear from you. How much your husband is allowed to talk on your behalf depends on the assessor - and be warned that their attitudes can vary over this. One thing you suffer from is anxiety - so the chances are the assessor will want to hear that from you and not from your husband. Some assessors have been known to end a call if a relative tries to talk 'too much'. Some assessors are more reasonable and happy for whoever is supporting them to talk when necessary. I don't want to scare you, but I want you to understand there is no consistent approach to this.

Have a look at the guide which explains the assessment process and the types of questions you will be asked.
ESA and UC Claims for Physical, Mental Health and Learning Difficulties: a guide to the limited capability for work assessment.
benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/esa

You can ask the assessor to record the conversation. We always advise that people make their own covert recordings because a number of people have been told the equipment is having trouble or the final recording goes wrong - .

BIS

Hi Callista

Yes, they will use what you have written on your form to ask you questions.

No, having an appointment for a MRI will not go against you, you just need to explain what the appointment is for and how long you have waited, I know of some claimants who have waited over 2 years to see a specialist.

If you have a look at our ESA guide at the link below you will see that there are a number of pages which include advice on telephone assessments. Yes, a lot of the questions are those that would have been asked if you had a face to face assessment.

help-for-claimants/esa1

- Write yourself a bullet point list of any particular points you want to get over, so you have it by you during the assessment, tick them as you cover them during the assessment.
- have paper and pens to hand to make any notes such as the assessors name, date, time
- Record the assessment surreptitiously. (Never trust that there won't be a problem with their equipment!)
- make sure you are seated in a comfortable chair, you are going to be there a while and at table to make notes
- if you can't hear or understand what is being asked then ask them to repeat the question
- don’t let the assessor rush you and get you flustered.
- don't forget to have a glass of water if needed so you don't get a dry throat and lose your voice!

Don’t forget to contact DWP once you receive your decision letter and ask for a copy of the assessors report called a UC85.

Gary

Hi Callista

I hope that the assessment went well for you, and you're now able to rest.

BIS