ESA After the fit for work assessment.

J81

Hi all , I went onto ESA last July following a flare up with what I now know is fibromyalgia and mental health issues. I had my assessment on 7th Feb. I know this isn't long ago but my anxiety is through the roof waiting. According to the report I have had the nurse assessing me recommended SG. However the decision maker has still not made a decision.
The had the report on 12th Feb. I have called a few times (with encouragement from friends I struggle with making calls etc) to try put my mind at rest. No decisions still. When I called yesterday, the call handler said there was no decision yet but put me on hold as she needed to go through to DM. Is this normal ? She then come back and said again no decision and that they allowed the DM as long as it took to make the correct decision.
I told her hat my reason for calling was as this situation the not knowing etc is having a negative affect on my mental health.
I don't understand the hold up? I know someone who had the assessment the day before me and had decisions within 2 weeks unfortunately he is having to do MR ( We are both in same area South Wales).
TIA 

J81

Hi thanks for you reply and sharing your experience, yes I know it can take as long as it takes unfortunately. Just wait and see and hope to get some sleep in the mean time lol. I have had the report in which it's recommended SG, But I am aware decision makers don't always stick with this guidance so until I actually get the decision, I will be on edge. 

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi J81,

The DWP pay Capita and Maximus/ATOS to do these assessments on their behalf and I would say a large majority of the decisions reflect the opinion of the healthcare professional so I would be very surprised if you weren't put in the support group if that's what the assessor has recommended.

Lee

J81

Thank you for your response. I am still waiting on the decision. Just hoping it's not much longer now though... thanks again.

J81

I am still waiting for the decision 6 weeks later. I am living in poverty, on my nerves and so fed up of waiting. I know people have waited longer for decisions I Just do not understand the hold up. When it appears a simply yes to support group(an advisior on phone confirm it looks like support ) but still not a word from them. Is there any way I can get this speed up...