Hi, I am new here and sorry if i have posted this on in the wrong place.

I am due to have an ESA Medical in a few weeks due to me been of work for the last 8 months.  I have severe Crohns and everything the GI's are trying are not working.  The thing I am wanting to know is, has anyone been to one of these so-called medical assesemnts? I have looked at the points system they use and I come up with over 15 points, but that is me looking not these job's worth's.  Any help/advise would be great

Cheers

Neilfisk

sorry hun i havnt but ive been of work for 4 months now so i suppose it is sumething that i could go through please keep in touch and let me know how you on, is the medical with work or benifit office for your ssp changing to incapcity benifit, xxxsuexxx

Hey sue, how you? It's for the DWP, it's done by ATOS Healthcare who, as far as I keep hearing, FAIL everyone they see.  I had a medical with my employers and he has stated that I am unfit to work and my GP and my 2 GI Consultants in 2 hospitals say I am unfit for work.  I was just wanting to see if anyone else has attended this who has crohn's.

Neilfisk

Ty for letting me know i will be thinking of you let me know how you go on, xxxsuexxx

Hey, How are you Tattyteds68

Just heard back from the ESA and they have not failed me!! Yipee!! I have been reading into it and they fail nearly everyone.  I'm relived and its taken a load of my mind.

Neilfisk

hi there meilfisk, im so glad its all worked out for, i have been of for 6 months on the 26th february so ive recieved my form for the ESA have you been awarded the the lower level where they may be able to find you work, or the the higher rate, when you cant work at all. i was thinking of you when i recieved my letter,  its a very daunting time isnt it, it nice to hear some good news for a change, bet your relieved, money is such a worry. tc speak very soon xxxsuexxx

Hi again tattyyeds. Yea totally relieved that i never got failed as i have heard so many bad stories about people failing this assesment. I am on the lower rate but i am going to appeal it as my gp's,my GI consultants and my family do not think i am fit enough for work. I am getting help from the CAB, going next week, to help me fight the decision. I suugest you go to the CAB to fill in your forms and exaggerate what you write. I know it's not the right thing to do but it's the only way to get them to listen!! They are a complete joke!!  

Speak again

Take care

Neil

Thanks neil, thats good advice, not really sure we have to exaggerate it though hunni, this is a terrible disease to live with it really gets me down. look out ive pm you i want to ask you a personnal question. cheers xxxsuexxx

Hey sue, I have just pm'd you back. With regard to the ESA form, I was told by the ATOS doctor, who do the assesments, that it's better to exaggerate it a bit because the people who look at the forms do not know what diesase's are and only go by a tick check sheet.

Neil

neil how long did it all take, you only get £64 dont you for 13 weeks and then it goes up afterwards, do you get that for 13 weeks anyway then if the pass you you get the other rate after the 13 weeks , ive pm you again xxxsuexxx

Hi Sue, yea that's right. You get £64.30 per week for the 13 weeks then if you pass the medical assesment you then get more money. But if you fail it they stop your money completly and you then have to appeal then they start it again untill the appeal goes through. It's an absolute JOKE!! They have not got a clue what they are doing, the goverment should be ashamed of themselves for the datf benefit.

Neil

Hi mielfisk, ive just recieved my ESA questionaire Form, god its daunting isnt it, ive made an appointment to CAB next wednesday, i to have done the test myself and come with over 15 points, but i like you think they have there own ideas, ive picked it up a few times and each time i read it i fell ill and end up on the toilet, sick with worry. Anyway wish me any help from anybody would be great, let me know if you can help me and ill pm you my msn addy and we can chat thank you in advance XXXSUEXX

Hey Sue, how you getting on with the ESA forms? Have you heard anything back from them yet/

Hope your well

Neil

Nothing has yet hun, ty for asking, but then again ive had a bad flare up recently so i had to cancel my medical its been rearranged for for the 7th may., let you know how i get on  tc xxxsuexxx