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Can't do ESA Interview

Ben77

A close family member has been applying for ESA on my behalf as I'm autistic and have severe social anxiety and so I struggle speaking to people (this is also the reason for my claim). So far my family member has been able to speak to the DWP and job center for all aspects (aside for me hopping on to give my consent for them to speak for me) but I've just had a letter through for me to attend an medical interview/the last stage in the application.

My family member rang the DWP to ask if they could do this interview alone as there is no way I could do it as it would cause me so much distress and make me so ill (they explained all this to the dwp and the form you have to submit prior to this stage contained all of this along with evidence from medical professionals).

The dwp said that I have to do the interview either by myself or with my family member there but I have to be there and speak unless I'm not capable of managing my own finances(which I am and if I said I wasn't they would do a home visit to confirm this which would only prove I am capable and take us back to this stage). I have absolutely no idea what to do now as there is no way I can do this interview (the format eg. phone interview or in person doesn't matter) as they are asking me to do something which would be incredibly distressing and is the whole reason I am applying in the first place- to get the help I need they want me to do the thing i can't do

I'm just so stressed and worried and I've no idea what to do or where to go and the interview has been booked in for 2 weeks time. Any help is much appreciated

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OverlyAnxious

Hi,

I have similar problems with accessing benefits. The system doesn't seem to be setup to cope with more restrictive mental conditions unfortunately.

Can I ask if you're sure it's ESA that's being applied for, not Universal Credit?

If it's a work capability assessment (ESA50 or UC50), that should be possible to do paper based without you having to answer questions verbally.

Albus_Alumni

Hey @Ben77 and welcome to the community.

I'm so sorry to hear they're wanting you to go in for the assessment. I understand first hand how hard that can be for the brain. I had to do a telephone assessment and was shaking the whole way through, with my sister there to support me when I went non verbal. It wasn't fun, but it was soon over.

As Nashota said, you could possibly ask for a paper based assessment, though they're usually rare and with no input from yourself or people who know you well, it may not go in your favour. But it could be worth asking.

Ben77

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/906844#Comment_906844

It's such a frustrating system!

Yeah its the esa that I'm applying for, doing a written version would be perfect. My family member is going to try calling Monday to see if I can do it written, fingers crossed!

Ben77

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/906899#Comment_906899

Thanks so much for this link!! My family member is going to try and call Monday to see if we can do a written one. So far when we've called the dwp they just say those are the rules and they don't have any power to change it but looking at that link maybe we need to speak to the assessors? I think it said on my letter that the assessment company is changing so I'll have a look into contacting them too if there's no luck

Ben77

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/906914#Comment_906914

I'm so worried they will say no or that paper based ones aren't a thing even if they are but I'll give it a go and hopefully it works! I have absolutely no idea what to do if they say no so fingers crossed

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/907153#Comment_907153

To be clear a paper based assessment is when they have enough of information to complete the assessment without the needed for a telephone or face to face assessment. It's not an assessment that you complete on paper like you think it is.

The assessment providers are changing from today and who will be responsible for your assessment will depend on the area you live. There's some information here, which is due to be updated today.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider#dwp-providing-assessments

You may also want to look into having an appointee if you're mentally or physically unable to look after your own claim. There's some information here.

https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

Meg24

I've been having paper based assessments for over 10 years, I always write about 20 pages of descriptive evidence when I send my ESA50 and I send it with a letter from my therapist which includes the reasons why I cannot have face2face or phone assessments. I have almost always had to fight to get the paper based assessment and twice I've had to get my MP involved. In my experience it's often down to who you get on the other end of the phone ,(or email in my case). One time I was treated appallingly by someone at IAS who absolutely refused to entertain my right to reasonable accomodations which is set in law! I sent that one to my MP and the next week I 'magically' got my paper based assessment.

Keep pushing if you have enough evidence on paper to give them, they absolutely can be done. Good luck.

OverlyAnxious

It's interesting to read about the change of assessment providers. All of our experiences were with the previous system. It may not be so easy to get a paper based assessment after the change. We will just have to see what happens now.

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/122255/cant-do-esa-interview

Your situation sounds identical to my past experience with ESA reviews.

I always had great difficulties at reviews and like yourself, whether on phone or in-person, I would have to give consent for my mother to speak for me. Your current situation with your ESA review reminds me an awful lot of my experience several years ago. On one occasion I had a CAB person attend for me alongside my mother, I never actually spoke to CAB at the time either. The last review I had about 6 years ago was my last, I struggled a lot - the week leading upto it, the night before - and on the day, I felt like the floor was moving like I was on a boat. I ended up walking out of the the building, I didn't see the point in even being forced to be sat there, struggling to even hear it, if someone else is speaking for me.

Walking out did not go down well, despite the questions continuing and my mum finishing the review for me - the decision was made in letter that I had to go back again. I was so annoyed to have to go through that again, because ultimately the assessment itself was completed - I just left the room is all. They had my consent already.

I managed to do a little bit of talking this time, and found out the question had to start all over from the beginning - they would not continue from the point where I walked out. I gave consent. I got up, lifted my chair and moved to the other end of the room facing the window. I just listened to some music down my ears until it was over with. My body was in the room that time, which seemed to be the issue for them.

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/907281#Comment_907281

I haven't been following the news. This change you mentioned suddenly has me worried. It's ok I needed to hear about it at some point.

If I've not been called in for an ESA review in 6 years, if they've now changed providers… this could trigger them calling me back in for ESA reviews!?

I've literally only just gone through a new PIP claim which was difficult with 3 months of waiting in anticipation and dreading phone calls or to be called in for assessment. Fortunately that was paper-based in the end, I was awarded PIP, but their letter says they will contact me in two years. So that sense of dread of wating around hasn't actually ended despite successfully being awarded PIP. I've got to print a letter off requesting if they would consider extending this for me. I want to get it sorted today but I've not been able to get any sleep yet.

W348

It drives me up the wall that everything has to be by post when email is so much easier, instant, and doesn't require me to use a printer. It's 2024, sending letters feels incredibly old-fashioned and frustrating. I try to look on the bright side where I can, at least they're not asking me to send them letters by carrier pigeon.