The Dreaded Letter

**JPR** · 06-21-2012 11:13 AM

Hi,newish poster looking for some avice

Received the dreaded letter yesterday,the letter that my time has come to be considered and assessed for migration from IB to ESA.I have a number of questions to ask which I am hoping to get the answers to on here.

They state they will phone me in the next two weeks to talk about how this change will affect me although its evidently clear on the letter.

1)This is where the sceptic comes out in me.Why do the feel the need to phone me and what should I expect(questions)from this phone-call?

After the call they will send me the limited capability for work questionaire.No problem with this as I have filled in numerous questionaires in my time on IB.The information I provide will be used to determine whether I need to attend a WCA

2)Is this the ATOS medical

If I am entitled to ESA I may be required to attend a work- focused health- related assesment and work focused interview

3)Is this a further medical?

If I am not entitled to ESA I would have to look at other benefits

I may well be missing something but there seems to be no half way house eg deemed unfit to work.Your either entitled to ESA but the way I read the letter you would still be expected to seek work through work focused assesment(see question 3)or apply for jobseekers which asgain sees you having to seek work...Wrong?

Hope someone can answer the above questions

**graemet** · 06-21-2012 12:01 PM

i was on ESA national insurance based, it stops after 12 months, after that you receive nothing in benefits, so good luck, plus it will be ATOS that does your medical, my ESA stopped on 30th of april, and as i say you are entitled to no benefits whatsoever, i have had nothing since then, what the government are wanting people that are sick to sign off ESA and onto jobseeker allowance.

**davewhit** · 06-21-2012 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by JPR

Hi,newish poster looking for some avice

Received the dreaded letter yesterday,the letter that my time has come to be considered and assessed for migration from IB to ESA.I have a number of questions to ask which I am hoping to get the answers to on here.

They state they will phone me in the next two weeks to talk about how this change will affect me although its evidently clear on the letter.

1)This is where the sceptic comes out in me.Why do the feel the need to phone me and what should I expect(questions)from this phone-call?

After the call they will send me the limited capability for work questionaire.No problem with this as I have filled in numerous questionaires in my time on IB.The information I provide will be used to determine whether I need to attend a WCA

2)Is this the ATOS medical

If I am entitled to ESA I may be required to attend a work- focused health- related assesment and work focused interview

3)Is this a further medical?

If I am not entitled to ESA I would have to look at other benefits

I may well be missing something but there seems to be no half way house eg deemed unfit to work.Your either entitled to ESA but the way I read the letter you would still be expected to seek work through work focused assesment(see question 3)or apply for jobseekers which asgain sees you having to seek work...Wrong?

Hope someone can answer the above questions

they telephone because over the years people complained about poor communications

regards having filled in ib forms esa is very different the goal posts have moved

if you dont get esa appeal if you fail JSA

**JPR** · 06-21-2012 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by graemet

i was on ESA national insurance based, it stops after 12 months, after that you receive nothing in benefits, so good luck, plus it will be ATOS that does your medical, my ESA stopped on 30th of april, and as i say you are entitled to no benefits whatsoever, i have had nothing since then, what the government are wanting people that are sick to sign off ESA and onto jobseeker allowance.

graemet,lost me.What is ESA national insurance based?Now correct me if I`m wrong and after posting on here did a bit of research you must have been placed in WRAG if your ESA stopped after 12 months.Is there not a support group which can last for 3 years?.Also,why are you not entitled to jobseekers/any benefit after being on ESA.If you sign on your entitled to benefits of some sort surely?

Was aware it was ATOS that carry out the medicals

Originally Posted by davewhit

they telephone because over the years people complained about poor communications

regards having filled in ib forms esa is very different the goal posts have moved

if you dont get esa appeal if you fail JSA

davewhit

So the call is basically a courtesy call?

How far have the posts been moved dave and can you give an example?

If I did fail I would certainly appeal, but will just have take whatever comes my way

Thanks to both for responding

**wobble1** · 06-21-2012 02:15 PM

JPR,
It is some of the scary stories that are bandied about that cause uneccesary worry.
The new questionaire is not that much different to the old IB one, it is more focused on your abilities rather than your illness so make sure you make that clear.
If your application is in question and they do not have enough information from your GP etc then you may have to attend an ATOS assessment.
Depending on the outcome of that examination will decide your next course of action, if any.
If you are refused ESA or put in the wrong group then you have the option to appeal, and will continue to get benefit whilst that appeal is in process.
The bottom line at this moment is fill in the form carefully and fully stating ALL your difficulties, then sit back and wait.
Come back here if you need more advice, for most migration is a painless process.

**davewhit** · 06-21-2012 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by JPR

graemet,lost me.What is ESA national insurance based?Now correct me if I`m wrong and after posting on here did a bit of research you must have been placed in WRAG if your ESA stopped after 12 months.Is there not a support group which can last for 3 years?.Also,why are you not entitled to jobseekers/any benefit after being on ESA.If you sign on your entitled to benefits of some sort surely?

Was aware it was ATOS that carry out the medicals

davewhit

So the call is basically a courtesy call?

How far have the posts been moved dave and can you give an example?

If I did fail I would certainly appeal, but will just have take whatever comes my way

Thanks to both for responding

mobility has changed from IB to esa then esa mobility rules and pointsawarded changed again last aprilb

**JPR** · 06-21-2012 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by wobble1

JPR,
It is some of the scary stories that are bandied about that cause uneccesary worry.
The new questionaire is not that much different to the old IB one, it is more focused on your abilities rather than your illness so make sure you make that clear.
If your application is in question and they do not have enough information from your GP etc then you may have to attend an ATOS assessment.
Depending on the outcome of that examination will decide your next course of action, if any.
If you are refused ESA or put in the wrong group then you have the option to appeal, and will continue to get benefit whilst that appeal is in process.
The bottom line at this moment is fill in the form carefully and fully stating ALL your difficulties, then sit back and wait.
Come back here if you need more advice, for most migration is a painless process.

Thanks for that wobble.Not had the phone call yet so could be a few weeks before I receive my questionairre

Originally Posted by davewhit

mobility has changed from IB to esa then esa mobility rules and pointsawarded changed again last aprilb

Is there a link or anything to the esa mobility rules/points awarded

**JPR** · 06-26-2012 02:12 PM

Well,received the phone call today(nice enough chap) and told to expect questionairre in 4 to 5 weeks with a further 4 weeks to complete and send back.