Employment Support Allowance (replacing IB from Oct 2008)

[mazza111]

Laura, have you received the medical report yet (ESA85). If not, call up and request a copy. You can then see what they have failed you on and take it from there. Good luck hon

[MissLaura]

I have somebody phoning me within the next few days I shall ask them then.
Thank you

[mikev]

Ive been thinking about trying to get over to the US to get Prolo this year as there is no one who does it here ( Scotland at all ) , the problem is ESA is only covered for the 1st 4 wks unless its medical treatment , does Prolotherapy/ PRP fall into that category or not , and if not why given we have no other options available ( esp if youve been housebound almost 3 yrs like me ) ?

mike

[gila]

hi mikev
maybe check the prolotherapy thread on here, as yep peops have found docs here in the uk that do it, as far as I remember though only privately...
I have no idea, but my feeling is as prolo isnt really even accepted as a "proper therapy" in the uk, I doubt v much that you d get ESA granted for going to the states...but...I dont know.
xxg
ps edit belatedly I have noticed that you had checked, even posted in the prolo thread- sorry!

[LizzyParker]

Hey there everyone. I've just spent 2 whole hours trying to reach a human being at Citizen's Advice Bureau to no avail, so I'm hoping someone here could help me instead!!

I was diagnosed with EDS 7 years ago and as a result of the physical issues, I have worked part time on and off my whole working life (I am lucky that my parents are extremely understanding, or soft, depending on how you view it!). I have been self-employed running my own business for 2 years now and as such, I've been working mostly from home doing my hours as and when I can. I was renting premises, and doing fairs, but had to give all that up physically, and just sell online - from home.

I'm at the point now where I'm struggling to work at all. I'm having to take days off to recuperate between working days and I can't reliably get to the post office to post the goods I sell. It's just becoming unmanageable. I didn't want to 'surrender' to my condition, but I see no other option but to get some financial assistance in the form of ESA and stop being self-employed. I've sold most of my business off, and am slowly shutting it all down. I'm devastated, but I just can't cope physically any more.

So, as I'm self employed and earn practically nothing with my ailing business, I get Working Tax Credits, which are my main income. (I live with my parents as I cannot move out, as I cannot work full time and earn enough to pay rent).

I'm really stuck as to what I do between stopping self-employment and applying for ESA - if I don't get ESA, I can't get JSA because I'm not fit for work. What do I do financially in the mean time? I don't want to over-claim my Tax Credits but I also can't live on nothing until I'm awarded ESA (or not...) if I'm refused ESA I honestly don't know WHAT I'll do.

Any advice? thank you in advance <3

[diamondcut]

I have to go for my first work focused interview as I have just started claiming ESA. Can I ask how many of you have had success in having this interview carried over the phone. For me traveling makes me very sick and I don't really want to have to travel to have it. But would people on here say that it's in your best interest to attend in person?
Many thanks for advice

[cracker]

hiya diamondcut i had a work focused interview too with my ESA adviser i went to meet her & she was lovely. she's disabled too. i found it was nice to have a chat to someone & not feel discriminated against. i have chatted to her on the phone but i havnt had an interview ovwer the phone. but i found the ESA adviser & the DEA's are very kind. it mite be an idea to meet them in person but if traveling makes you feel sick its best to give them a bell & tell them your situation to see what they say. hope it goes well for you
cracker x

[shen]

Im in the process of being transferred from contributions based to income related as my year is up. It's taking forever!! its been almost 6 weeks now, phoned them this morning, it looks like they haven't even looked at my application yet! Running seriously short on money now... Just waiting for a call back from them.

Technically it should be pretty straightforward. I get DLA and have been accepted again as a student to do my PhD so as per their guidelines (those in education and in receipt of DLA are deemed to be unable to work ad put in the WRAG) i should automatically go in the WRAG group, so i'm really hoping that it is that simple as it was last time. I really can't face having to go through appeals/medicals and so on.