ESA

[Soupy56]

I applied for ESA in March 2020 and received a phone call yesterday from Medical Support Services to say that due to COVID-19 I will be interview via telephone. I wasn’t quite sure what they meant as the phone call was very rushed. I think they said that they had a date for me, when they checked on their system again it seemed to have gone and said they’d phone me back at some stage today. I’m really worried about the call as I’m not sure if the call back today will be the actual medicinal interview for just a date for the interview. Can anyone offer me some advice? Also, what should I expect then to ask me during the interview?

Thanks in advance.

[skit]

Take a deep breath. If it is a date for the call fine. Clearly you need to prepare by jotting a few notes. Please do not just say you have Fibro. Some accept it is real but it varies in severity and therefore if you have to be in support group or Jobseekers. Start with what you are like ,concentration, pain and mobility. What job did you do and what skills you have attained is for them to ask! With some preparation you will be less inclined to panic I hope. Update when you can. Your experience will help others .Gentle hugs

[Soupy56 in reply to skit]

Thank you so much for your speedy reply. I so appreciate any guidance you can offer. No word from them so far today!

Can I ask you why I shouldn’t mention the Fibro to them. It’s not mentioned in my application as I hadn’t seen the consultant at that stage but it was diagnosed in hospital a few weeks later. I also have Polycystic Kidneys which causes swelling in my joints, high blood pressure & frequent UTI’s and I will need a transplant eventually, Menieres Disease, Osteoarthritis.

Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Soupy56]

Hi

Have you mentioned these other conditions? Sometimes they will ask a question and further down they will ask it in a different way. They did this on my first one but I had been warned!! Hope your appointment is soon. Take care and stay safe Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜

[Soupy56 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your kind reply.

Yes I did mention the other conditions and backed them up with Doctors/ Consultants letters. Are you on ESA? I take it it’s quite hard to get from what I’ve heard.

[Hidden in reply to Soupy56]

Hi

I'm on pip. I'm sorry I misread it!! Mine was about pip. Think I've got brain fog!! I've never been on ESA!!! Sorry ❤️🌈🤗💜

[Soupy56 in reply to Hidden]

OK - no problem, I appreciate you taking the time to answer. 😀

I applied for PIP and was flatly turned down with no points at all. That was before I was diagnosed with Fibro.

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Soupy56]

That's not fair, is it? Sometimes they just put anything down!!

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Soupy56]

Fibromyalgia is recognised as a condition by DWP and if dismissed as not being a valid health condition by and assessor, you have grounds for a complain against them

[Hidden in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you for that - I have really no idea about any of this or what to do. Any other guidance would be much appreciated.

[Soupy56 in reply to Hidden]

Just a wee update.

Medical Support Services phoned and I now have a date for a phone interview on Mon 22nd June re my ESA application. I feel really anxious and stressed which has my pain levels at an all time high. Just wish they could trust the reports from my GP and Medical Consultants without having to cause me more stress.

[jimmyshoes in reply to Soupy56]

hiya Soupy 56 ,well im waiting with you too. I have also applied for ESA and also had my PIP review been turned down and now in process of appealing ,so we can wait together x I wish you well

[Soupy56 in reply to jimmyshoes]

Thanks jimmyshoes. Yes, please keep in touch if you hear anything.

Best Wishes

[jimmyshoes in reply to Soupy56]

Thankyou . Ps didu check the privacy advice as very useful

[Soupy56 in reply to jimmyshoes]

Hi jimmy shoes

Just giving you an update on my ESA telephone interview as promised. The good news is I was awarded LCWRA the next day!

I received an email from Universal Credit to read my Journal and there was the wonderful news I had prayed for and the back dated money was in my bank account the same day.

I’m now sending my appeal back to PIP to go to tribunal. I wonder how long it will take to get a date for that? Do you think because I’ve been awarded LCWRA that my PIP claim will be looked on more favourably? Please let me know how you get on with your claim.

Soupy56

[jimmyshoes in reply to Soupy56]

Hi and glad to to hear this , all the distress it has caused. I think ,i may be wrong ,that you will have to go through process of Tribunal as your PIP was stopped and be prepared for a long wait.Its ridiculous as why would u get your ESa without good reason. I have been told my ESA decision wont be much longer now. Have sent my appeal off n DWP have till next week to accept or whatever. At least you can mention your award now in your appeal as many of descriptors must surely be similar so good luck ,

[Hidden in reply to jimmyshoes]

Thank you jimmyshoes

[jimmyshoes in reply to Soupy56]

Hi Soupy 56 , had a telephone tribunal and won my enhanced daily living back for 3 years. I will get it back dated till Jan when it stopped .Please keep in there as the tribunal , although exhausting , listened and understood.

[Soupy56 in reply to jimmyshoes]

So pleased for you Jimmyshoes. So how long did it take from the Tribunal till you heard you’d been successfully rewarded?

[jimmyshoes in reply to Soupy56]

They said only reason they could not give decision then was the 3 people that spoke to me on tribunal call were remotely working , it would be made after the call. Well I phoned the next day n requested letter by email but got the letter just 2 days after my call. Now waiting for my money from DWp who I called to chase up.xx

[mummymax9 in reply to Soupy56]

Hi soupy56 I just read this thread and was wondering how everything went with the call,I have one for esa on Wednesday morning myself and would appreciate any tips or advice,

Hope you where successful x

[Soupy56 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Is it also recognised by PIP?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Soupy56]

Yes.

But remember, decisions on benefits are made in how your condition affects you on a daily basis and how you meet the criteria - not on your diagnosis

[Soupy56 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Is Fibro also recognised for PIP?

[Hidden]

Hi i would "lock" your post also as the whole world will know your business other wise!

[Hidden]

Hi Soupy. Both ESA & PIP focus on the way your conditions affect your ability to manage daily activities. Whatever they ask you, explain as you are on your very worst days, if symptoms vary.

You really need to emphasise what you CAN'T do & not what you can eg I can stick something in the microwave but not cook a meal fresh, from scratch, which (assessor put in report that I could make my own meals!).

I was assessed face to face last year but someone here who had phone assessment said their report said they didn't SOUND nervous or anxious!

Get advice from CAB or other benefits advice organisation & make notes on how each of the descriptors affect you on your worst days so you have that in front of you as a memory aid.

I didn't have a clue & couldn't have done it without help.

Don't give up if refused - I got PIP at first attempt but got ESA reinstated on appeal.

Good luck!

[Soupy56 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that - much appreciated.

[releasethemagic]

This guide to ESA is very good. There is a section about the assessment and the sort of questions to expect. disabledviewuk.com/download...

[Soupy56 in reply to releasethemagic]

Oh thank you, I’ll check it out now! Did you get ESA the first time you applied?

[releasethemagic in reply to Soupy56]

Yes, I got Support Group because my medical conditions including fibromyalgia had reduced my mobility.

[Soupy56]

My condition has got a lot worse from I applied. I had my meds changed again yesterday by my GP. I also ended up at A&E, after seeing a Doctor I then saw a physio and was given crutches to help with my mobility.

[Soupy56]

Thank you.