Employment Support Allowance (replacing IB from Oct 2008)

[star gazer]

Hi just a quick input, this clinical nurse specialist at nhnn wrote a supporting letter for me but it took so long to arrive my assessment was done by then, however I submitted it this time as it was less than a year old, it was agood letter explaining what pots is and how it affects me on a daily basis, the meds i take and how they have affected me and that my pots was still not controlled. I emailed her to ask if she could do me a letter, it was dated october when it arrived in january! so may have got caught up in the internal postal system.
I also included photocopies of prescriptions i take regularly and a medical overview of each of my problems and how they impact on my daily living.
sgx

[mazza111]

Finally got the forms through. Had to get them sent to my address because everything my DD gets sent seems to go missing. We have the same postie, but he's in the habit of not putting the letters all the way through, kids in her street steal them and we'll find them in the street in a few days time I have a front garden though, so even though he doesn't put them all the way through, I can still retrieve mine.

Felt bad reporting it to RM as he's an x colleague and all that, but it's getting beyond a joke now

[RiffRaff]

Thanks for the input on getting medical evidence, stargazer. I'll see what I can do, but I guessed that a letter from the autonomic clinic could take a while, given their waiting lists for appointments... If mine doesn't arrive in time, I'll write on the form that a medical letter is due, but I don't suppose they'll hold of judging my claim if the letter takes that long to arrive. Best of luck with your claim x

[star gazer]

Thanks riffraff, I heard a few weeks ago, had my award renewed, so a weight off my mind for now.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you
sg x

[RiffRaff]

That's so great, stargazer, I'm glad you had you're award renewed. It's certainly a big weight on my mind at the moment, ho hum.

Bye for now x

[Titch]

hello guys - i could do with a few pointers please if that's ok (sorry i haven't been online much - lots going on - or should i say popping out iykwim, but hey ho that's hypermobility for you )

anyway i've got one of these silly forms to fill in and i have a few questions (not sure if they are daft or not really, as i can't keep up with the latest news, read the whole of this thread (have read quite a few bits though ) or tbh understand the logic of the form that i have to fill in

my questions are (in no particular order):

1) (have you) / should i answer questions as i am / how i feel that day - or generalise/ worse case senario?
eg - yesterday had a sub lux leg/hip joint which got stuck - painful, couldn't walk, stand, sit, do steps etc etc - took 2 hrs + to coax back to less painful position - do i count that as a no can't sit/stand/walk etc or it variesnote: (i don't like that "it varies" option one little bit) feels like a get out clause / trap of some kind )

2) did you / can i - use IF in the comments box?
eg - if i have dislocated shoulder i cannot lift my arm above my head

3) is it ok to type out the answers in the comments box - as my pen holding days are well and truly over? (not that being on the 'puter is that much better, it is less painful and much easier to read afterwards

4) re medical evidence - i don't have any as such not in writting anyway - my gp has all reports etc - i asked her about written reports etc and she just said that if an outside agency wanted info on my med condition - i had to give my consent for them to contact her directly, but she could only answer direct questions that was put to her - is this right?

having read a few posts on this thread - i did have a look at the works and benefits forum/website (but i can't afford to sign up) but thanks for the link as i have had a few of their free tips that they send

also - i seem to remeber reading on here that prof graham (i think) has written a paper (or something) for dwp / govnt - but i can't find a link to it - how can i find this please (pretty please)

i'd appreciate any advice you can give - so thanks in advance

[gila]

ello
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/spec ... -syndrome/

I've only filled in the 'pre ESA' forms so far, but for what it's worth...

4) I dont know...

3) I write explanations on the computer (each section 'prefixed' with for example "re standing, q 2 a" ), starting with explaining that I cant fill it in by hand due to that being too painful, hands cramping up and my writing getting illegible, print it off and put on the form in the 'comment/explanation' box "see attached notes" (make sure the notes have your name and NI number on them and also are numbered like "page 1 of 2")
I've also often ticked several boxes, even if it says tick 1, with the explanation that "all of these can apply on different days see attached sheets'

1) so yep, if it varies I tick 'it varies'- and explain how/when/why (if I think I know) on the attached sheets- if you just put the worst case and you get a medical on a good day... they might regard you as a liar- so I put both best and worst day examples-
I try "telling it as it is" even though the form makes that rather difficult -

2) so yep I do use 'if' or "when"

[mazza111]

Got date through for tribunal for original claim. 5th July. Wish us luck

[Titch]

gila - thank you

i have downloaded the form - so might just try and type my answers straight onto that, then print it off

[zornna]

i got a copy of my medical report yesterday and i am shocked, appearently i can get round a suppermarket as long as i have a trolley (i wish so fed up with being sent rotten fruit!) and because i care for my son that means i can go back to work no mention of the fact he has to remove my splints, help me get my meds out of the packets and i struggle not only to get in the shower but to squeeze bottle of shampoo etc and my ex has to help with this (there are somethings i won't let my son do)

she also did not do any test on my arms yet in the report she mentions as i did that i have problems with my right shoulder muscles pulling at random yet regular intervals and in the back pages i have issues with getting my left arm behind my neck which i will openly admit i can do with my left my right however is a whole different story

oh and i seem to have lost 2 of my cats and my ex's dog who is still living with me and my son as i "care for a cat" and i have 3. I know that i didn't mention my pets as if i had been asked they would have got the same reply as last time "my son has 2 cats and he looks after his dads dog and cat i neither walk, feed or clean up after the animals the most i do is open the door so they can get outside while my son is at school and give them water if i can get down to pick up the bowl" (yep it was a very well planned statement lol)

It also states that dispite my inablity to fill in the esa50 by myself that i can hold a pen and use a computer although it does note that my computer use is limited to 15 mins a day
it fails to mention that the condition is varable and i have more bad days than good
i just hope the look at it again and see all the faults i haver pointed out but i doubt it.

[zornna]

i've just been looking through the medical again as each time i do i notice something different and noticed that it clearly states that i can't get dressed everyday so i guess thats me going to work naked then i wonder if the police and neighbours would understand if i told them atos made me do it

[FIN1]

Hi

I was wondering if many of you have been successful being put into the support group from work related group. I am in daily pain in all my joints especially my knees,hands,back and pelvis. I can walk very very short walks but in constant pain and have daily help from mother in law to care for my son as I really struggle when my husband is at work. What happens at the appeal? Do they even take this condition serious as I haven't met anyone who has so far. I previously got ESA in work related group but they have just stopped it as I had already claimed for 12months and they went ahead and changed the law.

Financially we are struggling without this money and I cannot see myself ever being able to work unless I vastly improve which is unlikely as we all know.My dr is a waste of time and really doesn't take me serious. I have previously applied for DLA but been refused on 2 occasions. I may apply again soon but completely dread the stupid novel type booklet they expect you to complete.Is there anyone out there that gets DLA and ESA who isn't wheelchair bound?

[mazza111]

There are. I'm not one of them unfortunately. I'm in the WRAG for problems with my knees, hips and trapped nerve in my spine.

My sis went from IB straight to support group without medical, but don't think this is the norm. It's a constant daily battle to get what you think you need compared to what they think you need.

[RiffRaff]

FIN1, I don't have anything to add, I'm afraid, with regards to benefits, other than you have my sympathy. The situation is so unjust, it's so disgusting that in modern Britain the welfare state is failing and robbing so many people with disabilities. Best of luck with your appeal.

I just thought that I'd add that, as you mention that your doc is rubbish, would it be worth consulting a better one? I saw a rheumy who didn't realise the signigicance of HEDS and autonomic problem, but I later got myself referred to Prof G's Hypermobility Clinic in London and they knew what they were talking about. I'm not saying they'll necessarily be able to help your symptoms, but they might well be more supportive of your benefits applications.

Best of luck, I'm sorry things are tough for you x

[curlysue]

Hi, just to post an update - I received a letter this morning from the DWP, I have been put into the WRAG (work-related activity group) without needing a medical. It's a big relief - I wasn't expecting to be eligible for the support group so this is the best I could've hoped for really. I'm sure I will find out about the work-focused meetings in due course but right now am just letting it sink in. The downside of course is that I will only get a year of this benefit before it is stopped, as I live with my partner, but for now I am at least spared the indignity of being found fit for work.

For anybody who hasn't seen the site before, I can very much recommend www.benefitsandwork.co.uk - I used their guides to help me fill in the ESA50 and I'm sure that their good advice really helped me to get this result.

Good luck to everybody else claiming this benefit,

CSx