No original documentation as disability evidence

I was permanently injured in a serious car accident in the USA in 1996 when
I was living there.

I am a British citizen and was awarded IB and DLA benefits over 7 years ago
after I returned to the UK.

I am about to receive the ESA questionnaire.

I am unable to get any evidence from the US medical personnel who treated me
during or after the accident.

The medical personnel in this country (UK) have no original records of my
injuries, other than those created by the DLA doctors who initially examined
me.

I have very limited mobility and upper body strength. Is my physical
appearance and description of my injuries sufficient evidence of my
disability, or am I at risk of losing my IB and DLA benefits since I have no
original US documentation?

Many thanks.

Creature wrote:

I was permanently injured in a serious car accident in the USA in 1996 when
I was living there.

I am a British citizen and was awarded IB and DLA benefits over 7 years ago
after I returned to the UK.

I am about to receive the ESA questionnaire.

I am unable to get any evidence from the US medical personnel who treated me
during or after the accident.

The medical personnel in this country (UK) have no original records of my
injuries, other than those created by the DLA doctors who initially examined
me.

I have very limited mobility and upper body strength. Is my physical
appearance and description of my injuries sufficient evidence of my
disability, or am I at risk of losing my IB and DLA benefits since I have no
original US documentation?

Many thanks.

Hi C,

Having medical evidence does help a claimant.

However, the ESA WCA process that you are going through, will take into account the limitations and disabilities suffered by you as a result of your conditions, at present.

It is therefore important that you go into detail on your ESA50 Questionnaire regarding these limitations.

As a starting point have a look at all the ESA Guides which can be accessed from the orange MEMBERS ONLY box on the left.

You could also download and save the interactive version of the ESA50 from this link. :


www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/...lasset/dg_195544.pdf

With the help of the ESA guides you could even start filling it in now, saving and editing as is convenient.

Once you receive your ESA50 through the post you will then have 6 weeks to return it.

You can use the interactive version, and print it off and post it to the relevant ATOS address when necessary.

You will then have a ready made copy left on your P.C.

See if you can enlist the support of your G.P. for evidence.

Have a look at the ESA guides, and if you then have any questions, come back to the forum, and we will do our best to answer them.

bro58

Hi again C,

Just to remind you that, the "whens and wheres" of the accident are not really relevant to your qualification of ESA.

You will be assessed purely on your limitations and disabilities suffered at present, as a result of the conditions caused by the accident.

Not the accident, or indeed the conditions that it has caused.

The ESA WCA, is an assessment of your capabilites, or lack of them.

Hope this helps.

bro58

Hello bro58

Thanks so very much for your replies - really clear and logical.

Sincerely, Creature.

Hi bro58

Just downloaded ESA50. Problem: other than saving my name and address, I'm not able to save anything else on this form. Anything written simply disappears once I use the SAVE button on the form, or my computer, or when I type in the next box.

Input much appreciated. Regards, Creature.

Hi Creature

Please make sure that you saved a copy of the form on your hard drive before you start filling it in and that you are using Acrobat Reader version 8.1.2 or later.

The last page of the PDF gives you a phone number to ring to resolve technical difficulties.

Regards

Derek