Just received my second ESA50 - worried now

[unclebulgaria67]

My only physical health problems are an overweight belly, bad knees and needing catheters to urinate. It's the mental health problems like anxiety and paranoia that make up the rest of my ailments.

 

You might have perfectly valid health conditions to support your ESA claim, but you might be wise to not mention travelling 50 miles to spend a week housesitting to look after your Sisters animals. Given that this will raise questions, perhaps not mentioning it or if asked what your family commitments are, that you are staying with family for a week.

[Foebane72]

I wasn't going to mention it, it's frankly none of their business.

[Foebane72]

The appointment is for the 15th of June, and I am quite worried at the moment. I always put off worrying about this until "I crossed the bridge" but that time has come. I guess I wasn't expecting it until after the election, somehow.

 

So what do I do now? I've been advised to speak to my GP and someone else like a counselor or even my local Mind.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Is this to do with the ESA50 you had in March? Did you send any supporting evidence with the form?

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?475450-Just-received-my-second-ESA50-worried-now

 

HB

[Foebane72]

I didn't think there was any evidence I could send, so I didn't, at the time. What evidence could I send that would help?

[honeybee13]

I've merged your old and new threads to keep the history together.

 

Which descriptors do you think you fit, foebane? If you tell us that, maybe we can work out what evidence would help.

 

Have you seen a specialist for either/any of your conditions?

 

HB

[honeybee13]

This page has a link to a pdf that has the descriptors in it.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa214-a-guide-to-employment-and-support-allowance-the-work-capability-assessment

 

HB

[Foebane72]

Which descriptors do you think you fit, foebane? If you tell us that, maybe we can work out what evidence would help.HB

 

I've looked at the descriptors and I would not get any points for almost all of them. The only exception I can think of is the one with loss of bladder/bowel control, but the problem is I cannot empty my bladder without a medical aid (catheter), and it's very uncomfortable walking around with a full bladder than you can only pee about 10% out, believe me. But my condition is the opposite of this descriptor.

[Foebane72]

Is it unreasonable of me to expect my landlord to attend the WCA with me?

[Foebane72]

I would like to record the interview as well as have a witness present, but I wonder why they insist on letting them know in advance if you're going to be using a recording device? How do I contact them to arrange this?

[reallymadwoman]

You cannot openly use your own recording device unless it meets their very precise rules, which is most unlikely. Instead, you have to ask them to record however they only have a few machines and it's not always possible to get one in the right place at the right time so asking for a recording can delay things - which may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective.

 

If you want to also record yourself using a phone or similar, if the HCP spots it they will ask you to stop and if you don't they can stop the assessment and record it as 'failed to participate' which has consequences for payment of your benefits. I couldn't obviously suggest doing so but having one recording device visible which you switch off when asked and another in a pocket etc which they wouldn't think to ask about is one solution. You should also be aware that tribunals do not always accept covert recordings, it's a bit of a grey area which may be clarified eventually.

[Foebane72]

In that case, I won't bother asking them to record. However, it would then be our word against theirs, and they'd accuse us of colluding.

[honeybee13]

People here have asked to have the meeting recorded, Foebane, I don't think it's worked against them. I think it's worth considering especially if delaying the meeting would suit you.

 

HB

[Foebane72]

I've decided not to have the WCA recorded, as it seems less than 1% do so and chances are, they wouldn't be able to do it on the day anyway.

 

I know I'm probably jumping the gun a bit, but if I'm found "fit for work", what are the chances of me being put on Universal Credit? I've had a leaflet for it in the past, and I think I'm only eligible for that, and I'm not looking forward to the long delay without any benefit. Lastly, I've heard that many on UC have to do 35hpw jobsearch, which is something I wouldn't be able to cope with. I haven't had a paid job since 2005.

[Chester6]

I've decided not to have the WCA recorded, as it seems less than 1% do so and chances are, they wouldn't be able to do it on the day anyway.

 

I know I'm probably jumping the gun a bit, but if I'm found "fit for work", what are the chances of me being put on Universal Credit? I've had a leaflet for it in the past, and I think I'm only eligible for that, and I'm not looking forward to the long delay without any benefit. Lastly, I've heard that many on UC have to do 35hpw jobsearch, which is something I wouldn't be able to cope with. I haven't had a paid job since 2005.

Even if you are on JSA they treat it as UC, the 35 hours can include visiting town etc

[Foebane72]

My WCA is on Thursday, and I would really like to know how long I should expect to await the outcome afterwards? Does it vary a lot? I know I'll be found Fit for Work so I was hoping to use that time to do my own jobsearch before the outcome letter comes.

[Foebane72]

WCA POSTPONED!

 

I was actually on my way to the assessment centre when I got a phone call from them (showed up as (Private Number)) that because of overruns, my appointment was going to be rescheduled for another date. I told them I was on my way and they said sorry, rather apologetically. In fact, the woman on the line was quite nice.

 

So what happens now? I think they said there might be a letter in the post about it, so do I just wait now? I only hope it's not some kind of trick to sanction me because of non-attendance, that's all. There'd be no evidence aside from the logged call.

[Foebane72]

Just got a new letter from them: the new WCA appointment is 18th July. Here we go again.