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ESA Form Agoraphobia/Social Anxiety/Depression

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8 years 1 month ago - 8 years 1 month ago #155568 by Gordon

Ditzee wrote: Thank you Gordon for your reply.

I can confirm that I do not meet with anyone socially. I live alone and do not have any family members due to a number of bereavements. I do not consider seeing my GP as "social contact" but only contact that is essential in order to deal with my health issues. I do not go "out and about" in my village - all shopping done online and prescriptions delivered to my home and I did provide this information on my last ESA50.

Do you have any further advice on this point for me?

Kind regards.


Be carefully of describing circumstances that prevent you socialising as you risk it being seen as your not meeting with people due to opportunity, rather than you being unable to meet with them due to your conditions.

This applies to all of the PIP activities, you won't score points for things that you do not do, only those that you cannot do.

Also, when describing your limitations, you should also think about the ways that you might overcome them, for example; using an aid or appliance to assist you, you need to explain why these and other "work arounds" will not help you to complete an activity.

Make sure you understand and use "reliably" wherever appropriate and also "for the majority of days".

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 8 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
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8 years 1 month ago #155575 by Ditzee
Sorry Gordon I do not understand your reply? I cannot and am unable to meet people due to my health conditions and stated this in previous ESA50 stating the negative impact this had on my health ie panic attacks etc when I have previously been forced to do so. Also I fail to see what aids or appliances or work arounds are available to help someone overcome difficulties having social contact due to mental health problems.

Apologies if I haven't made myself clear or if my post is confusing.

Many thanks again.

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8 years 1 month ago #155582 by marieukxx
Replied by marieukxx on topic ESA Form Agoraphobia/Social Anxiety/Depression
I have been on ESA for 7 years for the same conditions listed in the thread title. I have just sent my renewal form back. I write about what happens to me when I do attempt to go out and give examples of occassions I have gone out and what happened. How often I can manage to go out.

I have always been plaved in the WRAG group but this is the first time I have paid to join and used the ESA guide provided here. I am hoping that now I may be placed in the support group as according to the guide I do fit that critea but just wasn't explaining to fully before.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Ditzee

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8 years 1 month ago #155589 by Gordon

Ditzee wrote: Sorry Gordon I do not understand your reply? I cannot and am unable to meet people due to my health conditions and stated this in previous ESA50 stating the negative impact this had on my health ie panic attacks etc when I have previously been forced to do so. Also I fail to see what aids or appliances or work arounds are available to help someone overcome difficulties having social contact due to mental health problems.

Apologies if I haven't made myself clear or if my post is confusing.

Many thanks again.


It's not you, it's me!!! :blush: :blush: :blush:

I've been answering several similar questions PIP today and forgot that you question is in regard to ESA, although my first comment still stands.

In a previous post you talked about how you do not have relatives and friends, what you need to be careful of is the assessor assuming that your problems with Social Contact are because you have no one to have contact with, which would not score points, rather than the actual situation.

Ignore the comment about aids.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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8 years 1 month ago #155775 by Ditzee
Whilst I complete the ESA50 I am going to make a SAR to DWP as I didn't request a copy of the ESA85A report or LT54 report when I received my last decision of being awarded ESA Support Group category back in 2014. I have downloaded a copy of the form and just wanted to check whether or not I should be requesting computer records or clerical records? Should I be ticking boxes relating to summary of benefits and ESA? Do I request the specific reports ESA85A and LT54 in the Any other Personal Information box? And for what period should I be requesting? Am I right in thinking this information is free?

Are re-assessed claims classed as "new claims" and therefore subject to new regulations? IE: If you felt you had to appeal a decision you felt was wrong would an existing claimant have to claim JSA under new regulation whilst an appeal was made against the decision?

Kind regards.

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8 years 1 month ago #155777 by Ditzee
I have an appointment to see my GP in a couple of weeks time (my ESA50 has to be submitted by 3/5/16) and my GP has always been supportive with my illnesses and wrote a supporting letter last time I submitted my form. Can I leave the wording of my GP's letter down to her (she will probably state same or similar wording as last time) or should I take in a copy of a blank ESA113 to show her what sort of information Maximus will need to know or is that not necessary/ To be honest I would feel extremely awkward presenting her with this type of form.

Many thanks

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