Esa queries

pjd

1. By using "it varies" you would be saying that sometimes you cannot mobilise 50m and that sometimes you can, if you can never mobilise more than 50m then you should answer accordingly. Don't forget that this is not a walking test, your ability to propel a manual wheelchair will also be considered, so you must cover this requirement as well.

2. If you believe that such a letter will help explain why you meet one or more of the Descriptors then it should be of help, but be careful of simply including such a letter just because it is available, you will be assessed against the ESA Descriptors and I have seen these letters actually casting more doubt on the claimants abilities than they resolved.

3. I would take a copy of the full Descriptor, with all of the sub-descriptors, with the points removed and ask them to make a comment based on their knowledge of your conditions, which entry they feel you would meet and to explain why.

4. I am afraid they can, they have no obligation to provide support for a patient in regard to an ESA claim, it is also possible that they may charge you to produce a letter, in which case I would ask them to detail what it would include before going ahead, a letter saying the claimant s not Fit for Work and nothing more will certainly not be worth the money that you might be asked to pay for it.

5. There is no right answer for this, fill in the form as you feel appropriate. I know that many ME/CFS sufferers are diagnosed with Depression as well, so you might want to consider how this element contributes to your problems with question 11-17.

Gordon

pjd wrote: Hi Gordon,

Thanks for your advice.

Im still a bit confused about question 2 and why you say to be careful about including letters just because it is available. I thought it was best to collect as much supporting letters to go with the esa form as possible. Also where can I find a copy of the full descriptors, with all the sub descriptors, with the points removed.?

Thanks.

Pj

The Descriptors are listed in the ESA Claim guides, you can copy the text and paste it into another document which you can then give to your GP.

With regard the letters, it is easy to assume that any letter of support will be of assistance, but you really need to sit down and read the content thoroughly, I had a letter for a DLA claim that confirmed mobility problems but stated that I had no care needs, despite my having spent several appointments with my GP going through all of the problems I was having in this area, as a result the letter could not be used, fortunately I hadn't paid for it, in the end I used information from my medical records.

Requesting your medical records

Charging for medical records

Gordon

pjd wrote: Hi gordon,

Do I need to take the sg and the wrag descriptors with me to my gp's?

Also I understand what you mean about the letters not necessarily containing the 'right' information. Can I ask you that when you say you used information from your medical records, was the whole letter used or did you use segments of it (if that makes sense), and was there was limit on how far back you went regarding the info on your medical records.

Thanks.

P

You should always provide the whole letter or report, leaving out part of it merely invites the question what is missing and why? That's why I could not use my own GP's letter.

How far back you go really depends on your conditions and when relevant reports were produced, obviously the further back you go then less weight that the DWP will give it, but if you can also show that your condition is not likely to improve or that it is likely to deteriorate, then even reports from a number of years ago should be taken into account when making a Decision.

Gordon