› Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.

ESA Assesment looming

cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi all, I have a ESA assesment in 2 weeks and I'm very nervous. I was calm and now the date is approaching I'm starting to panic. 
The cost of the journey is about £25 each way which is so much. Maximus said i have to have a letter from my Doctor for them to reimburse the taxi fare. I asked my doctor for a letter to say I need to travel by taxi he said it  will cost £50. I had to leave that as the cost would end up the same. I would be really grateful if anyone could tell me their experiences of the assesment. Thankyou so much!
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Replies

  • janer1967janer1967 Member Posts: 11,201 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi I have had WCA and also PIP assessments, which are quite similar. 

    Have s good look through the forms you filled in before you go as the assessment is mainly based around what you put on the form and how your condition affects you and your ability tyo do any type of work based on your condtition.

    My opinion is the assessment isn't that bad on the face of it most assessors are empathetic on the face of it but bear in mind they are watching everything you do.

    I hope it goes well for you and keep us uopdated 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodbinewoodbine Community Co-Production Group Posts: 4,534 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi do you have a friend/relative who can take you?
    "Putting a child into care, isn't caring for a child" (T.Rhattigan)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thankyou janer1967
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Woodbine, my Sister is taking me, 
    She helps me a lot
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    HI, this link may help you know what to expect.

    Also before the assessment, take a look at the form that you filled in ( a copy should have been kept) part of the assessment will be to verify what you wrote in the form. As well as any additional information needed on the day.

    Personally, i've never had a bad assessment and all the HCP's that i've seen in the past have been very friendly and extremely helpful. Good luck.

    Proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice I have given to members here on the community.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodbinewoodbine Community Co-Production Group Posts: 4,534 Disability Gamechanger
    cookie80 said:
    Woodbine, my Sister is taking me, 
    She helps me a lot
    if you go by car you can claim so much per mile
    "Putting a child into care, isn't caring for a child" (T.Rhattigan)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Woodbine we will be going by taxi as neither of us drives. Thankyou anyway
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Hi, just thought I'd give an update.
    I had the assesment today. The assesor was a Doctor and was actually really kind. I'm not assuming that I have been successful in my claim but the fact that she was kind really helped. After hearing a lot of horror stories I am relieved I didnt have to an unpleasant assesor.
    Will wait an see what the report says. Will update when I get a decision. 
    Thankyou
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chloe_ScopeChloe_Scope Scope Posts: 10,653 Disability Gamechanger
    I hope it goes okay @cookie80! 
    Scope

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thankyou Chloe!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SeanchaiSeanchai Member Posts: 411 Pioneering
    edited March 2020
    Yep, I had a very nice assessor ( home assessment...moving from ten years on DLA to PIP.) very nice but professional along with it... It lasted over an hour .....My wife and I thanked her for yer time and off she went . I got a ten year re-assessment and enhanced rate for both ... ( If I,m still here in ten years , i doubt very much if I will be much bothered about PIP .🙄 ( although the Scottish government are taking over the DWP for Scotland from next month ...if we are back to normal of course )....and the first minister has said a few times that all people will be treated with dignity and fairness and it will not be the same test for Disability as we we have at present ) .....I was lucky getting a very decent person to be assessed by ....I said that before I got any report back .
    I hope you get what you are claiming for cookie 80 ...good luck .👍
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thankyou so much Seanchai. It's nice to hear positive experiences. I am glad you were treated well!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BenistmonkBenistmonk Member Posts: 343 Pioneering
    cookie80 said:
    Hi all, I have a ESA assesment in 2 weeks and I'm very nervous. I was calm and now the date is approaching I'm starting to panic. 
    The cost of the journey is about £25 each way which is so much. Maximus said i have to have a letter from my Doctor for them to reimburse the taxi fare. I asked my doctor for a letter to say I need to travel by taxi he said it  will cost £50. I had to leave that as the cost would end up the same. I would be really grateful if anyone could tell me their experiences of the assesment. Thankyou so much!

    If the journey takes more than 90 minutes using public transport to get to the assessment centre, then Maximus have to send a taxi to collect you. That's the law.  
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Just a quick update, I got put in the support group. Thankyou to everyone who took the time to answer my questions on here. Stay safe!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chiariedschiarieds Community Co-Production Group Posts: 9,215 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @cookie80 - Thank you very much for letting us all know. Delighted it's all worked out well for you! I hope you're able to relax now. Have a great weekend. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thankyou @chiarieds
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Adrian_ScopeAdrian_Scope Testing team Posts: 8,007

    Scope community team
    That's great news @cookie80 and must be a huge relief for you. 
    Community Manager
    Scope
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookie80cookie80 Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thankyou @Adrian_Scope, yes it is a huge relief and can relax a bit for now.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign in or join us to comment.