ESA and 'core health' - sharing perhaps?

I'm sure many of us are too well aware that one of the serious problems of ESA is the way it focuses on 'functionality' and completely disregards what I describe (there's probably a much better way) as 'core health' issues - the type of ill-health or disabilty that undermines central well-being, so that while a person may be able to meet - or seem to meet - the functional descriptors to an apparently large extent, or for apparently most of the time, in fact their health is severly undermined, in reality, to a massive degree, and they are, in fact, severely incapacitated. Many illnesses can effect people in this way eg. MS, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart conditions, COPD, and many more. I often see in the newsletters that people with such conditions do report success in gaining entry to the ESA Support Group. I myself am continually stressed (on several meds and with psychiatric input) while awaiting transfer from IB wondering if I will be successful in the same thing when my time comes, as my degree of disability is severe and chronic, but largely invisible. Could some of those who have been successful in this way perhaps share with some of those in my position on - tips on how to make that successful case for the support group for "non-functional" but severe ill-health issues? May that be appropriate? It must affect a lot of folk. Thanks

Hi c,

I note that Gordon is in the process of responding.

In addition, here are some historic post that came up when I put CFS ME in to the search link :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=sea...ldforums=1&catids=10

See also : www.actionforme.org.uk/get-informed/publications/

bro58

I don't know whether this is relevant to your particular health problem, but there is the rule that if you can’t do something reliably and repeatably and safely, you should be deemed unable to do it at all.

So if there are activities you can do as a one-off and only if you pick your moment, that might be the approach to take.

All the best
Elaine

Hi,

bro58,

thanks for the links.

Gordon,

I'm rather takem aback that your reply seems to imply that I'm suggesting that perhaps claimants should be applying where they don't meet the criteria. This feels extremely uncomfortable, and rather like you're casting a slur upon me. I thought I was clear that I'm severely physically disabled, (as well as suffering from rather serious mental health health problems) and am referring also to others suffering from severe disabilities, but where those disabilities may not be clearly in line with the very 'functional' criteria that are now laid out in the ESA forms, but rather where they relate to more 'core health' issues, as I tried to describe in my post. I have a progressive neurological disorder (and it has given me cognitive deficits, which may display in shortcomings in my post - if so, I apologise), and in common with many similar disorders, such as MS, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, MS, even heart disease, and other more systemic or other disorders, these on the surface appear to be considered by the DWP process to be less immediately 'functionally' disabling, which they seem to organize they criteria around. I describe (perhaps, granted, poorly) these types of illnesses / disabilites I've listed as 'core health' difficulties, and am saying they can be equally as relevant and legally deserving of points to gain Support Group status as 'functionally' disabling illnesses / disabilities, but much harder to demonstrate to the DWP, as myself, and I'm sure many other members have experienced, despite using this site's guides and so on. What I'm asking is if those who have successfully managed to demonstrate the seriousness and severity of such 'core health' problems, where they warrant Support Group status, to the DWP, could share tips on how they have managed this could share details here, that may be of advantage to the rest of us who may be struggling to do the same thing, legitimately. I hope that is clearer, and my motives no longer in question!

cantrusthesystem wrote: Hi,

bro58,

thanks for the links.

Gordon,

I'm rather takem aback that your reply seems to imply that I'm suggesting that perhaps claimants should be applying where they don't meet the criteria. This feels extremely uncomfortable, and rather like you're casting a slur upon me. I thought I was clear that I'm severely physically disabled, (as well as suffering from rather serious mental health health problems) and am referring also to others suffering from severe disabilities, but where those disabilities may not be clearly in line with the very 'functional' criteria that are now laid out in the ESA forms, but rather where they relate to more 'core health' issues, as I tried to describe in my post. I have a progressive neurological disorder (and it has given me cognitive deficits, which may display in shortcomings in my post - if so, I apologise), and in common with many similar disorders, such as MS, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, MS, even heart disease, and other more systemic or other disorders, these on the surface appear to be considered by the DWP process to be less immediately 'functionally' disabling, which they seem to organize they criteria around. I describe (perhaps, granted, poorly) these types of illnesses / disabilites I've listed as 'core health' difficulties, and am saying they can be equally as relevant and legally deserving of points to gain Support Group status as 'functionally' disabling illnesses / disabilities, but much harder to demonstrate to the DWP, as myself, and I'm sure many other members have experienced, despite using this site's guides and so on. What I'm asking is if those who have successfully managed to demonstrate the seriousness and severity of such 'core health' problems, where they warrant Support Group status, to the DWP, could share tips on how they have managed this could share details here, that may be of advantage to the rest of us who may be struggling to do the same thing, legitimately. I hope that is clearer, and my motives no longer in question!

Hi c,

On reading Gordon's response, I think that you may be totally misinterpreting it.

It is a standard response, in that, he is simply stating that no matter what your illness or medical condition, you will only qualify for WRAG or the SG by scoring the necessary minimum 15 points for WRAG entry, and/or by fulfilling at least one of the qualifying SG descriptors.

Many people think that they can/can't qualify because they suffer from any particular condition, this is not the case. It is the resulting limitations, and whether they fulfill the qualifying criteria.

I was rather shocked to read your incorrect assumption.

bro58