Well, I took the plunge and completed my ESA and PIP forms. I have been awarded 73.10 contribution based ESA. I understand this is a provisional payment, whilst my assessment is undertaken, is that right?
My GP has written a very supportive letter, he goes into quite a lot of details about my inabilities, compared with pre-fibro-me. I’m not sure it this made any difference but I received a call from DWP on Friday. The gentleman said that due to my condition, they wouldn’t expect me to attend a PIP health assessment, they were going to send someone to do a home visit. 2 questions....I’ll this health assessment be for PIP alone, or will it be for ESA too? Secondly, am I reading too much into this being a positive sign?
Tuesday is assessment day. I will let you know how it goes!
Thanks all,
Julie xx
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Hareyfarey
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It seemed to go ok but who knows until the letter turns up lol good luck when you get it x
Good luck with your PIP assessment. I had a home visit too. Make sure you have someone with you. I was awarded PIP without having to go for Mandatory Reconsideration or appeal. X
Sounds good. I had a PIPS Medical the day after an operation for broken bones. They refused to change it even though I was bandaged up and in pain and on Morphine! I was afraid I wouldn't make any sense. I got the PIPS but at the lower level. I now have a Heart Blockage and I have been diagnosed with stomach problems (awaiting a double stomach operation). I'm too frightened to get reassessed as my whoe experience of Medicals is terrible. I failed my ESA Medical because they made 10 errors on it (things I never said said too). I appealed twice and was suicidal by then as they left me on £9.99 a week in error for 8 months! I won the Court case but was too sick to attend and the experience made my Disabilities worse. A brown envelope send me into a panic now. 2 years till I'm nearly 66 and on a Pension. Glad to hear some people are getting results at least.
ESA assessments are handled by a firm called Maximus for DWP. PIP assessments are carried out by Independent Assessment Services (the new name for ATOS) or Capita, depending on where you live.
For ESA, once the disability assessment is completed, DWP will place you into one of three groups, fit for work so you transfer to Job Seekers Allowance, the work related activity group where you will receive ESA for 12 months only and are required to participate in work related activities to prepare you to return to work, or the Support Group which is for the most disabled, and where payments continue at a higher rate.
Well, my health assessor from PIP, has just left. She was a lovely lady, whose name I have forgotten already! It seemed to go well, although it was emotionally draining and I kept bursting into tears! It really brings it home to you, when you are describing your limitations. You realise how much your whole life has changed! My wrist began to swell in front of her. She said that she would normally ask to see me walking, bending etc but as she could see that I was in pain, she didn’t want to make me worse, she only checked my hand grip and to see if I could lift my arms above my head. She said it will take about 6-8 weeks to get a decision. Fingers crossed everyone! Xx
Great news to report! Just received the dreaded brown envelope from PIP and I've been awarded enhanced rate for both!!!! Thanks guys for your help and support. Xx
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- such a relief. I got a few weeks to wait yet, home visit seemed to go OK but you never know, do you? 
Atos home visit
Pip ho well
Imminent PiP Home Visit
More stress
