Hi I have RA anxiety and depression. I have just received a letter saying I have to do a video assessment on Monday 5th June. I feel physically sick it’s causing me bad RA flare panic attacks, dizzy and light headed. I have seen that my Doctors sent back ESA 113 form on 17th May. Is it this that has caused me to have an assessment. I have worked for over 40 years and this is the first time I have applied for ESA. I just don’t know if I can cope to even do this assessment. I can’t even go out as my anxiety is bad. Don’t know how to even explain how I feel. I just feel numb due to all my medication. I can’t do anything and rely on my daughter and husband. I don’t even want my daughter or husband to be at assessment as I feel so useless. To manage I try and hide how I am. Even if I go through this assessment I have read they lie about how you are etc. Please help just don’t know what to expect. I will have to do this on my mobile phone as I do not have a computer.
ESA video Assessment: Hi I have RA anxiety and... - NRAS
ESA video Assessment
As far as I’m aware most who apply for ESA will have an assessment, it’s part of the process to find out how much your disability affects you and working. If you’re concerned they will lie then you can ask for it to be recorded which I would do for your peace of mind. The process is explained on the Gov.uk website, which might help you to know what will happen next. Good luck and I hope it goes ok( mine was fine and they didn’t lie 😊)
Thank you. Did you have a video assessment and how long did it take to hear back after the assessment. Did you have someone with you
it was a phone call and I heard back a few weeks later. I didn’t have anyone with me.
hi how long did it last and what sort of questions will they ask. Will it be the same questions as on the form?
I think it was about 45 minutes (seemed longer 😁) and yes they ask questions like on the form plus also responding to what you reply.
ok thank you at least I know what to expect now to get prepared. Much appreciated.
you’re welcome, let us know how you get on 🤞🏻
Hi just rang my Drs the ESA 113 form they completed only mentioned my anxiety and depression and no mention of my RA which causes my depression due to pain. They said yes that I could travel to face to face assessment even though I cannot go out have have not been out for a long time. I mainly deal with rheumatology and counselling. Will what GP has completed go against me.
Have you awarded lcwra or not plz tell me because i have the same situation and wca took only 17 mins..
Hi yes I did so cross fingers that you do too.
After assessment how many weeks you got your decision..
Is there someone who can be there on the day and be your voice if you get overwhelmed? I had my hubby there and they knew and they allowed him to say stuff when I got brain fog or upset. Also make sure you have your notes to hand and keep it short and sweet as you put it on the form anyway but will help you keep on track too or not forget stuff. However they mainly go thro form and ask questions about what you put in
I found it ok but at the time anxiety was not a major issue for me however I do think seeing if you have someone there as a support system would be the way forward. Best wishes x
hi yeah I have my daughter who will come over to help and will have my form to go through. Thank you so much.
It makes a big difference having someone with you who can support you.
Unfortunately the nature of these assessments is that you need to be able to say why you need the benefit, which inevitably means that the questions will show up things you are not able to do that you previously were (while in work). It is good that you have already done a lot towards making gaining the benefit possible. I know how hard I found it when I became too ill to work.
Be as honest as possible about the difficulties you have. Remember this is an assessment to help you get the Benefits you are entitled to. It is helpful if your daughter has an overall understanding of criteria for ESA Citizen's Advice have an overview - citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...
thank you so much for all your help. I will read the link you have sent.
Read up on the Benefits and Work website. Can't recommend it enough, but preferably before you apply for disability benefits.
I know with me I do panic and I either talk too much or be like a rabbit caught in the headlights. I didn't know all the good advice on here.I didn't even know about these sites but I got good assessors who could see how I was at face to face assessment.Mental health was ok so it will be harder for you but you have had excellent advice and be careful as they will try n trip you up with how they ask questions. You need this help so try n not to worry too much.Just be yourself n add a bit on.Good luck
Great suggestions from everybody above, I only have this to add:
Remember also to tell them how are you are on your very worst days.
Don’t say that your symptoms come and go as they often do with rheumatoid arthritis etc.
I will thank you for your help. Just want it over and done with as i can’t sleep thinking about it.
I always write points down that you might forget on a note pad I’ve only had face to face or home visits for mine and it’s normally to be nervous about the unknown. Just make sure you tell them your struggles and pain on your worst days. I normally chat like it’s gone out of fashion about anything but that show’s nerve lol you will be fine, I’ve just filled in my review for mine ain’t done one since before covid
thank you great advice.
if it’s permitted record a statement on you phone in your own time and good state of mind and play it to them during the video call explaining the process is so stressful it robs you of the ability to think clearly during the video call and this allow you to say what you need to say.
Hope you don’t mind the suggestion.
thank you for all your help great advice. Much appreciated. Just don’t why they’ve insisted on video assessment as i told them I struggle with panic attacks etc.
They have arranged a video assessment t rather than call you to a face to face appointment especially if it's a new claim to New Style ESA,this is a positive thing. Further Assessments in the future may indeed be paper ones if needed. Please believe me when I say, they do not try to catch you out despite what you may have read, I'm more than happy for someone to have someone with them as support. Tell them exactly how it is for you, us RA'ers can be a stoic lot, but don't be, this is your chance to tell them how exactly you are affected on a daily basis. This is a required process that you have to go through to get the support you are entitled to. I hope it goes well for you and that you get the support you need.
Hi I have just managed to change it to a telephone assessment so they say it will be same day Monday 5th June now at between 9 and 12. I just can’t do a video assessment. I’ve been vomiting panic attacks can’t sleep. Just not well enough to be looked at. I had awful time at my last job where I had to teams meeting every week and was bullied and humiliated at these meetings. It’s brought all that up again.
Ah, that's good I'm glad they've changed it for you! Please try not to worry too much, easy for me to say I know. They're doing this day in day out, but you're not so bound to feel nervous. But no one, will try to catch you out..tell them how it is for you. Best wishes and good luck x
Thank you. I will let you know how it goes. Your support is very appreciated.
thank you for all your help very kind of you.
I had a F2F, and had my partner with me who took notes of what was being said. You are entitled to have someone with you, so just say your friend / partner / whoever is with you and will be taking notes. Answer questions honestly, but do remember to focus on your limitations. Fatigue, brain fog if you experience them are so debilitating, your anxiety adds to your RA issues, fear of falling, not being able to get home .. .anything that you experience that causes your anxiety to be worse.
Best wishes to you.
thank you for your help much appreciated. It has helped.
Hi sabrejan,
The people who do these assessment with people are normally very fair and I doubt they will lie about you, be it PIP, DLA or ESA .
You have to tell them why you can't do certain things like Work, Walk or even cook meals. That's mainly PIP - for ESA tell them why you can't work, make a plan before the video.
i got my DLA for Heart and Lung problems way back and it was hard then but now, these people mostly are pleasant.
If you are ill like you say, even if the assessment went bad, you can appeal and lots win those these days,
Good Luck.
Thank you I am very poorly but how can they see that on video assessment that I will have to do on my phone. I just hope they understand how awful and painful RA is and all that goes with living with it.
I have read what you have got, and RA alone can be incapacitating - Add that to Anxiety and Depression it's obvious you need help. I have a condition that makes me anxious so I know how you feel. Your assessment he/she will know what you have, all they will want to know is how it affects you. They will be able to tell believe me, they are trained. Let them know exactly how you feel, really they can see you, but your answers count. Be polite and trust they will be fair..
BTW - It is very normal to worry and get wound up before an assessment, you are not on you own. Tell them exactly about your depression.
Thank you I will do the best I can that all I can do.
ok I will. At least I will know what to expect then won’t I.
yeah I hope so. Thank you for ur support means a lot x
hi I have spoken to GP to get this amended. I have now changed the video assessment to telephone and my husband will be here to support me as he knows how my condition affects me the most. The assessment centre were fine about it. So it will now be on the phone between 9 and 12. I just can’t do the video assessment it’s making my condition worse been vomiting ibs shakes can’t sleep. Just hate anything like that don’t like being seen and watched. I have nothing to hide have the medical evidence.
it is I just can’t do it by video it’s making my condition worse. I used to do teams meetings at my last job by video I was bullied by three colleagues and humiliated so has brought up all that again.
Thank you it is long term had RA since Feb 2017 and have had 6 different medications so far and nothing works fully only for a bit then body gets used to it. On lot of medication and have been for a long time. You are such a support so kind of you.
Hi just had my assessment it lasted 17 mins. The lady was very polite. Asked about my medication and anxiety. What I did during day etc. My husband was with me and a great support. Thank you to you and everyone on here. Couldn’t have done it without you all x x
Thank you so much for all your support. Very kind of you.
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