Esa Home Visit

[Jonny2]

I have been informed today that my request for a home visit has been refused. I cannot use buses as the amount of people on board triggers severe anxiety attacks. The I had provided a doctors letter to this effect and my gp backed this up on a form he had been sent.

Now I do not know what to do as all they said is they may refund me for a taxii if I get another GPS letter, so I neither I or the person who can go with me can afford the initial outlay. What can I do as this has made condition worse.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Jonny2

Thank you for your message. I am sorry to hear that you are having such difficulties getting to the ESA appointment. You could try telephoning them to explain your difficulties to see if they can offer more help. Another letter from your GP might help you to get recompensed for the taxi so you could have a talk with your GP about this.

Our members may have had similar experiences so may be able to offer more suggestions.

Good luck with this. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

[Stilltrying_]

You will need to get another GP's letter and find a way to borrow the money for the initial outlay of the taxi. Could you just not get an overdraft from your bank and then pay it back when the DWA refund your taxi fare. Or is there any kind relative can help you out just as a one-off? Hope this helps. Gemma x

[Jonny2 in reply to Stilltrying_]

I do not have a bank account and as family wise there is only me and my sister and neither of us in the position to pay for the taxi. I understand that the centre is able to provide a taxi. Do you think it would be advisable to get a benefits advisor to contact them on my behalf? Would this carry any more weight?

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Jonny2]

Yes that could definately help. Best of luck x

[Jonny2 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Saw my gp today they have provided me with a letter explaining why I cannot attend the assessment centre. She has requested a reconsideration on the home visit as even though I attend a doctors surgery it is only ten minutes away which does not mean I can travel all the way to Manchester. She has mentioned the possibility of travelling by taxi but that the cost is prohibitive. I will The surgery has faxed this off so wait and see.

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Jonny2]

Well done. Sounds positive. Good luck x

[Jonny2 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Spoke to the assessment centre and yesterday to cancel my first appointment to be told they had not received the fax from my gp. I have Spoke to the surgery who assured me the letter I got on Monday had been sent and they had the fax receipt. Rang the assessment centre back to tell them this and they admitted "oh it might of been attached to the wrong file" and so to get it sent again. I have They also said info was requested and supplied by my gp in March, something which my gp has no record of.

Also during my conversation the person on the phone said when he initially answered the call said his name was Colin and he put me on hold part way thru our call, and we when he came back even though I could tell it was the same person he said at the end of the conversation when asked that his name was Andy and a new appointment letter would be sent out.

They are sending me in circles and it is not doing my mental health any good, anxiety attacks increasing just thinking about it.