Just succeeded with my ESA renewal forms

That is fantastic news and gives me hope. I also suffer from post viral syndrome otherwise known as ME and im appealing the decision of my medical where I scored nil points.

Since joining this site it has been of huge help. Ive just received a letter today, my case was a paper hearing (I know I couldn't face the oral hearing) but it has been adjourned and they would like me to appear at an oral hearing to talk about my problems and the variability of them.....I suppose at least they did not turn me straight down!

Im so pleased for you and wish you well.

Hi...if you can possibly bear it...try and get to the oral hearing. I 'won' my tribunal in 2009..and I am sure it helped my 'case' to be there 'in person'..even though it really knocked me about (i am cfs/me too)....I am currently going through 'the process' again though.
I fear it is never ending!
Keep strong...take care of yourself...and go along if you can. Regards, Deb

Well done mermaid. I was successful last March with my first ESA claim for CFS/ME. I was placed in the WRAG for 12 months. I'm expecting to receive another invitation through the post from the DWP to another ATOS medical but am hoping thay have such a backlog of first time claimants they'll forget about reviewing my case. More people with CFS/ME are posting success in claiming ESA & on appeal so perhaps it's slowly gaining recognition for the debilitating & painful illness it really is - we can but hope.

DMP - if you can manage to go to the tribunal you'll stand much better chance of getting ESA. The guides on this site are brilliant & if you search the forum under both CFS/ME & ME/CFS you'll find lots of posts which will give you hope. Also look on th websites of the 'ME Association' & 'Action for ME' for advice you can use as evidence. Ihaven't had to attend a benefits tribunal so I don't know what it's like but I'm currently representing myself in an employment tribunal which has been going on for the past 12 months so the experience is't too far removed.
We have to keep fighting for fairness & justice otherwise we'll be leting the b*******s win - forgive the use of language, I've rarely used swear words in the past but in the past 2 years or so they've come to mind & usage so much more - I wonder why??
maggie

That's brilliant news Mermaid - what a relief for you.

I had my medical in July and 6 months almost to the day later the form came through. I put it down when it arrived and there it has stayed as I psyche myself up to complete it. I'm dreading it but hey - who here enjoys it???

Hope it doesn't take too long for the good news to sink in so that you can start to relax.

Best wishes

Teresa

maggie wrote:

Well done mermaid. I was successful last March with my first ESA claim for CFS/ME. I was placed in the WRAG for 12 months.

Maggie, I'm expecting to be hauled up before the beak re-assessed for my ME/CFS after a couple of years of relative tranquillity. If I hit a doctor who's thoroughly against it, then I expect to be told that I could work in x months' time. So probably put in the WRAG.

WRAG is going to be fun as going on one day usually means staying in bed (albeit sitting up) for the next two.

Query: what did they ask you to do in WRAG? I believe that they can insist that you undertake activities designed to "improve your health" - which could me CBT and GET. Did you have to do anything health-wise?

How often do you have to turn up, and at what time? Last time I had to turn up somewhere at 9 am three days in a row I spent the next week in hospital.