× Members

Income Support & ESA - Letter Recived

More
12 years 3 months ago #75781 by KeithW
Hi Everyone,

I received a letter last week saying that my benefit was going to change from income support to ESA and that I needed to be assed and fill out some form called limited capability for work.

I got this letter last week and have done nothing about it as I have gone into a depressive panic mode :(

They say they want to call me in the letter but the number they list they are going to call on is not mine, I live in Scotland and the number they give is a Kent number.

They say if the number is wrong to call them and let them know but I don't want to talk to them on the phone - Do i have to talk to them on the phone and give them my number?

I would rather anything they have to say to me is in writing.

I got put on income support in the mid 1990's along with DLA low mobility and mid care, I was put on it for mental health issues

Back then I saw two separate DSS doctors and had medicals and both time they said due to my illness I would never really be able to work again, I was given DLA indefinitely after this and was just permanently placed on income support without the need to provide a sick note

Why am I being made to jump though all these hoops again?

I find it hard to cope with my illness most of the time and because of the medication I have to take I spend most my time asleep, some 14 to 16 hours a day, it has that much of a sedative effect on me - The rest of time I am just about with it, and can get moody and aggressive, and because of this my wife has to look after me and she gets carer's allowance for this.

I am really worried and scarred about what is now going to happen, it is making me go downhill and I am wondering what the point is?

They will probably tell me I have to work or something but that just wont happen unless they can give me a job that involves sleeping all the time!

The only way I would be able to function even remotely normal for a sort while would be to stop taking my medication but then I would just be hospitalised as I would get ill again - I am in a catch 22

Please help me.

Many thanks,

Keith

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
12 years 3 months ago #75782 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:Income Support & ESA - Letter Recived
Keith

Welcome to the forums. I not sure if you are a new user but in case you are, have a look at the following FAQ which explains how to navigate the site.

Welcome to Benefits and Work

With regard to your post. I'm afraid that everybody receiving IS due to Incapacity is being moved to ESA.

The first part of the process is the letter telling you that you are being transferred, the next is for the DWP to contact you to see if you have any questions.

It is entirely up to you whether you wish to talk to them at this stage. If you don't, then you don't have to do anything, the process will continue to the next activity, which is to send you a questionaire (ESA50) to fill in with details of how your disbailities affect you on a daily basis.

You should receive the ESA50 in about two weeks and will have a further four weeks to return it.

Our ESA guides, see below, explain how to fill in the form based on your disabilities, there is one for any physical problems you have, and one for any mental ones.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

It may help you to get face to face advice at your local CAB or Welfare Rights office, as they may be able to assist you in completing the form.

If you have any specific questions, please come back to the forum.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
12 years 3 months ago #75790 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:Income Support & ESA - Letter Recived
I know that some people have also found 'MIND' very helpful in this sort of situation.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.