ESA

Hi Mrs Hurtyback,
Thank you for your speedy response. I am going to write my letter asking for a MR, i have been looking at the samples and i'm wondering should i put my reasons in or just ask them to look at my case again

Hi Gorden,
Thank you, i was worried as they said my arms are ok , so i can propell myself in in a manual wheelchair, as i have spinabifida it would probably cause more strain and pain on my spine, could i say this as ive never used a wheelchair

If you just ask them to look again, it is more likely that they will come to the same decision. Although your actual request can be brief, you should then follow it up with additional information/evidence, even if this is simply pointing out where, in your existing material, you have shown that you meet certain descriptors.

alice wrote: Hi Gorden,
Thank you, i was worried as they said my arms are ok , so i can propell myself in in a manual wheelchair, as i have spinabifida it would probably cause more strain and pain on my spine, could i say this as ive never used a wheelchair

Hi a,

Unforunately, you are not assessed with respect to whether you have ever used a manual wheelchair, nor does it matter whether you have never been advised to use one.

You are assessed on whether it would be "Reasonable" to expect you to use one.

The Actual ESA Mobilising Activity 1. states :

"1. Mobilising unaided by another person with or without a walking stick, manual wheelchair or other aid if such aid is normally or could reasonably be worn or used."

From :

The WRAG (LCW)Schedule 2 Descriptors

So you must give details of how and why you would not be able to self propel a manual wheelchair the requisite distance without any help from someone else.

This does not have to be purely down to upper body/limb restrictions, it should also be considered whether you suffer severe pain/discomfort when siiting in the wheelchair, would you need help getting in and out of a wheelchair.

Activity 2(a). may also be important here :

"2(a) Cannot move between one seated position and another seated position which are located next to one another without receiving physical assistance from another person."

If you can score 15 points for Activity 1. or Activity 2 (a) of the WRAG descriptors, as they correspond to the SG Actvity/Descriptors, this would give you access to The SG also:

The SG (LCWRA)Schedule 3 Descriptors

This is all covered in our : ESA Claims Guides

Being classed as "Reasonable" may also include having somewhere to store the wheelchair in your home, would you have steps to negotiate, etc, etc.

A letter of support from your G.P. or other treating HCP stating that they do not feel that a manual wheelchair would be approriate taking into account your limitations, may help.

bro58

Hi bro58
The muscles in my lower limbs are completley wasted so to use a wheelchair would be detrimental to what muscles i have in my thighs. I have two steps up to my house but would this not go against me as they said i can climb two steps although on my medical i said i sometimes have to get up all my stairs on my bottom due to knee, back and foot pain. sorry for all these questions but i'm so confused. thank you for your patience

Alice