Esa/Incapacity Benefit Overlap

[chas1]

Another update for members;

Got a phone call from DWP from the person who contacted me initially apologising for delay in phoning me back.(only 5/6 weeks late in phonimg back)
Anyway she said I had to complete forms and go through ESA process now which I asked to be put in writing.

Told her that my MP had obtained info from MP hotline which said my case had been put on hold and she said would liaise with MP`s office.
Said would phone back yesterday to clarify but no phone call.

I phoned MPs office to advise the situation and they promised to look into and spoke to them yesterday and they said after discussion with DWP they had changed their mind and now had to undergo the process now.

The MPs office are concerned that they also have been given conflicting information and will be raising the matter at another level.

2 clear things for me;

1.It shows what a farce it is when the DWP cannot provide proper advice to a MP so what chance has members of the public.
Even when a MP is involved they cannot keep a promise to phone back.
2.No clarification of the proper migration policy for transfer of people from IB to ESA.

Hopefully the MP can obtain answers.

As my trimescale for completing the form is fairly imminent I feel I have no other option other than to complete the ESA form and send it to them.

Hi ray,

Same thing here.I eventually got it sorted out.The DWP agred in April that i should not have to go through a medical assessment so soon after going through one in December.I was told by gentleman at the DWP that he had spoken to his manager who had looked at my medical noted an they had decided that they would cancel my case and i would not get assessed for transfer nearer my date of 2013. Great i thought.Just got a phone call on Wednesday from someone at the DWP and was asked why i had not sent my forms back.I had to go through all that happened since April.She told me that there was nothing in my Files to indicate to her that is what happened and that she would talk to her manager.She called back about aan hour later and told me that her manager had stated that i was given the wrong information and that i should send the forms back in.I tried to contact the gentleman who had handled my case because the very last thing he said to me was that if anyone contacted me and said that i was to do anything different that i should contact him and let him know.When i did try to contact him ,the girl on the phone, after i had explained everything to her told me that it was in my files that i was not to get reviewed until 2013 and there was nothing to indicate that i was to send the forms back just now.she told me people are just not communicating with one another.I think i will just fill the forms in and send them back.I have just one to many fights to contend with just now so maybe if i send them back it might take a little pressure off,

[ray2]

Thought I would come back and let people know how I got on.

My MP received a letter back from Jobcentre Plus and this is what it states in relation to the legislation.

Jobcentre Plus intends to select customers in the order they would otherwise have been called for a PCA in connection with their IB claim.
However,this is based on information held in our systems and the capacity of Jobcentre Plus and their partners locally.
This will mean for some customers the reassessment will start soon after they have attended a PCA and others near or after the date of what would have been their next schedules PCA.
Once the reasssessment journey has been started it must be completed.

In other words they can reassess at any time.

On a personal basis I sent in the ESA form in June and at the end of that month received a letter indicating I had been migrated to ESA.
I had filled in the form complete with a Orthopaedic Consultants Report which outlined my condition and how it affected me particularly walking and sitting being most relevant.
This would take me over the 15 point threshold as I was awarded ESA.

Unfortunately,DWP have sent me another ESA form asking me through the ESA process for a second time which closely followed on my PCA for IB last December.
Yup 3 assessments in a year.

Apparently they only awarded ESA for 6 months despite the consultants report saying I have a permanent degenerative condition.

I have written to my MP again and raised a number of issues.

1.The DWP website stated the migration process would be completed on a phased basis and each individual would be assessed when their benefit became due for reassessment.

This was a clear statement.
Also DWP staff at a senior level had informed the MP this was the policy.

Why has this changed.?

2.Why retain IB and put people through IB assessments if can be carried out so close together?
I thought retaining 2 benefits was to enable a smooth transition from IB to ESA.

3.Why must the reassessment journey be completed as it is surely an administrative process and should be stopped if an error has been made by DWP in selecting an in individual inappropriately.

4.Why have I been selected twice for ESA so soon after PCA.


I have said to my MP apart from the obvious human side to the issue that the situation is absurd and wasteful in terms of efficiency and cost as money is spent on admin and doctors in assessing the same people as in my case 3 times in a year.

Appreciate any feedback.

[SusieQ]

I have just completed two years of stress and form filling to be transferred from long term IB over to ESA, had to undergo two medicals in quick succession although I could not fault the actual ATOS Personnel who carried out the assessments.Four months from my last medical I rang to get the decision as nothing was forthcoming,I was told the decision had been made weeks ago but there was a serious backlog to clear.Sounds like the government is fullfilling its pledge to recall everyone faster than planned for!

[Stepheninleeds]

I am just glad I am not on IB. It was bad enough when my mother was, thankfully it stopped before these changes. Why do we have to fight so much?

[Workedup]

Hi.

I have received a letter to say that I am going from IB to ESA and that I will be phoned within 2 weeks.

What is this phone call all about please? What do they say? How long does it last? If they read my file, they will see that two of my conditions are Anxiety and the other panic attacks. They will also see that I don't answer the phone (although I will speak, at a push).

thanks for your input.

PS. I don't understand how this new ESA works. The old system was if you have over 15 points for Mental health or 10 points for Physical health you would be entitled to remain on IB.

[Stepheninleeds]

I will let someone else fill in all the details as others have more experience on this one. It is basically the replacement for IB which is being phased out. ESA is for those who cannot work,because of sickness or disability, & for such people who can work & want to get back to work. Read more about it here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ured/DG_171894

[davewhit]

Hi.

I have received a letter to say that I am going from IB to ESA and that I will be phoned within 2 weeks.

What is this phone call all about please? What do they say? How long does it last? If they read my file, they will see that two of my conditions are Anxiety and the other panic attacks. They will also see that I don't answer the phone (although I will speak, at a push).

thanks for your input.

PS. I don't understand how this new ESA works. The old system was if you have over 15 points for Mental health or 10 points for Physical health you would be entitled to remain on IB.

points other way around and apart from points if on higher care or registered blind you got IB too

[ray2]

Just a further update as just undergone a 3rd ESA assessment in 2 years plus of course the IB assessment a couple of months previously making 4 assessments in 2 years.
My MP has written to Terry Moran,Chief Exec,DWP asking why an individual with a permanent degenerative condition has to be assessed 4 times especially since an Orthopaedic Consultants Report indicated the condition was not going to improve.
Perhaps the govt drive to slash benefits plus ATOS will obtain fees for every applicant they assess may provide an answer to that question.
Anyway,I was relieved to obtain a letter from DWP confirming under the limited capability criteria I was placed in the support group which I understand to mean essentially I am not fit for work but only until Oct 2013.
I will be interested to see what information Mr Moran advises my MP about constant assessments for individuals with my particular circumstances.
However,I was surprised to get a phone call from my Gp asking me to make an appointment as they have a form to fill in for DWP.

I thought this was strange after just receiving word that I have just been given an assessment and DWP decision and not applied for any other benefits recently.
Any ideas.?

[davewhit]

Just a further update as just undergone a 3rd ESA assessment in 2 years plus of course the IB assessment a couple of months previously making 4 assessments in 2 years.
My MP has written to Terry Moran,Chief Exec,DWP asking why an individual with a permanent degenerative condition has to be assessed 4 times especially since an Orthopaedic Consultants Report indicated the condition was not going to improve.
Perhaps the govt drive to slash benefits plus ATOS will obtain fees for every applicant they assess may provide an answer to that question.
Anyway,I was relieved to obtain a letter from DWP confirming under the limited capability criteria I was placed in the support group which I understand to mean essentially I am not fit for work but only until Oct 2013.
I will be interested to see what information Mr Moran advises my MP about constant assessments for individuals with my particular circumstances.
However,I was surprised to get a phone call from my Gp asking me to make an appointment as they have a form to fill in for DWP.

I thought this was strange after just receiving word that I have just been given an assessment and DWP decision and not applied for any other benefits recently.
Any ideas.?

the idea of esa is more check ups on people on the benefit,whatever is wrong with you, must be something they think could soon be better or get use to...................that said some people in supprt group keep getting re tested

[ray2]

Thanks dave for reply.
Hopefully my MP will get an answer why they keep wanting to assess me.
But why would I be given a decision to keep me on ESA and then after that decision is made ask for a GP report.?

Surely any reasonable party would get a medical report from GP prior to making a decision.