ESA

[elana909]

Hi all...ive been on ESA since February and as of yet I haven't heard from atos for a one to one assessment. How long does it normally take does anyone know out there. I've heard from so many people that they are sent for after approximately 13 weeks. Why haven't I? Can anybody let me know how long they've had to wait please thankyou

[sjm81]

It all depends where you live x

[Hidden]

Hi Ive been on ESA since Oct 14 and got sent my ESA50 form to Atos in Jan 15 and sent it back Feb 15 and I have my assessment tomorrow. That is 10 months on assessment rate. I was getting concerned that my contributions will run out before they assess me but Benefits and work site have helped with advice on this. Doesnt help the nerves for tomorrow though. Joolz.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The best of luck tomorrow Joolz x

[elana909 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for reply hope all goes well with your assessment tomorrow. As they keep saying ppl who've been there don't try to do anything they ask if you can't do it such as touch your toes reach for the sky's etc. My sister can hardly walk she has so many problems but what did she do? She went to an assessment and nearly broke her neck trying to do all the things she genuinely cannot do at home. Suprise Suprise she was rejected her claim and sent back to jobcentre. She's in such a bad way I couldve screamed at her for trying too hard with ESA ppl she just didn't know and wasn't given any advise

[Hidden in reply to elana909]

Thank you for the advice elana. I can hardly walk either. My OH and I went for a dummy run last week to find the place as the first time they sent me an appointment there was a letter saying there are 18 stairs which I cannot do at all so now I have to go further from home and do not know the area at all. I am not going to try to do anything I know will give me pain afterwards. My stomach is in knots already. Did your sister appeal their decision?

[Hidden]

Thank you ryanbone. I am preparing to jump through hoops. (if only I could jump I wouldnt need benefits). Joolz.x

[silverfoxshaz1969]

⚛ deal with pip and you have to fill in a different forms for that and then it can take up to 3-4 mths maybe longer if they have a back log then you have to go for another medical for your level of pip if you qualify for it they will let you know within 6 mths butthey do back date it from when you first claimed if you get it good luck hhun hope all goes well for you x

[TheAuthor]

It is not something that I have been through but I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

I waited around a year for a appointment. Just hope you don't have to wait that long. Good luck

[suwie]

I waited for about two years as I was working still then I went for my face to face asseent & then the they stopped my money as I'm 60 now I didn't worry as thought I was retiring but then had a letter can't retire till I'm 66 then my daughter got cancer so I now look after her what a game it's been first apply for income support & carers that took weeks then they said I was still getting ESA even though I wasn't they didn't close they claim then I didn't get carers so they stopped income support & now I've had to claim ESA again as I now have to take anti depressants I still look after my daughter as she can't be cured & will always be on chemo it's one big joke & it's all David Cameron & the government I wouldn't worry to much they will call you in good luck too as I still have my fibro pain & after I've looked after my daughter & gone home I'm shattered they just said they understand I have health isusses I can do more, good luck hugs too x

[TheAuthor in reply to suwie]

I have just read your reply to elana909, and I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[elana909 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thankyou for your kind words ken x

[Hidden]

I think I mentioned in another post there's an enormous backlog at the moment, over 12 months worth which is why it's taking so long. I got straight into support group with no medical (cancer and its aftermath) but if it's anything like PIP I really feel for you!

[Misty-Moo]

I applied for ESA in March this year and haven't heard anything either. If that makes you feel any better

K xxx

[Peter55]

I started on ESA 11th April 2014 and finally got my one to one February this year. But the back pay lump sum was nice!!!!

[Peter55]

I had a very sympathetic nurse for my ESA assessment. I was put in the support group. For my pip interview it was a very smartly dressed young lady who refused to answer me when I asked if she was medically trained. Shecrefused to answer. Then asked me the questions which I answered. When I got the letter from DWP saying I had been refused with the reasons, I was quite shocked to find that she had actually changed my answers so that I didn't receive the mobility section. Or any others to be honest. Next time I'm going to insist on taking a witness and having a recorder in there. She lied to stop me getting benefit I deserved probably so she could get a bonus. If I ever met her again I dont think I could stop myself laying into her verbally after what she did. What an awful human being. How many others has she done this to? I complained but was told as it was her word against mine there was nothing could be done.

[elana909 in reply to Peter55]

That's disgusting who do these people think they are messing with people's lives like that. I've actually heard this before I really have. I've read somewhere to definitely take a recorder and never go alone. I guess I was lucky when I went to my pip assessment. Took my husband with me and got a nurse assessing me who was really nice. I was approved thank goodness but as for ESA we'll see when I get sent for. I'm dreading it as have been told they're ruthless. My friend went for her assessment on crutches. She'd had 2 hip replacements within 6 months. On loads of meds waiting for knee surgery and she was still refused ESA. They said she could get a sit down job the horrible people...she went alone which made it worse I think....

[joannie1964 in reply to Peter55]

please tell me they don't get a bonus for denying claims?

Jo

[Peter55 in reply to joannie1964]

Ive read that the more claims that can be turned down the more bonuses are paid to the company. That's typical Tory logic. The more people's lives you can destroy the more money we'll pay you.

I think it's disgusting

[joannie1964 in reply to Peter55]

Dear God that's appalling. Shame on them. It's disgraceful when genuinely sick people are treated so disrespectfully!

Jo

[Tinkywinky]

It varies to be honest, I was waiting 8 months and from there was put in the work capability group, I'm off work now awaiting an MRI on my right knee, which is showing extensive arthritis and possible meniscus tear?.

[Peter55]

Took me from April 2014 til fen 2015