× Members

CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed

  • Marc
  • Topic Author
12 years 1 week ago #83628 by Marc
I suffer with CFS, chronic insomnia & depression. Although I don't suffer from constant pain, these three conditions severely limit my ability to work. I am breathless & will be dripping in sweat with even gentle activity (visiting shops or taking dog for a walk). I sometimes don't sleep at all for 2-3 days at a time & frequently have to take double medication to sleep at all, with it leaving me really extremely groggy the next day. Due to the fatigue & depression, I have isolated myself & have little/no contact with anyone (including family & friends). I also suffer from joint pain in my hips & legs when I initially move after being in one position for a few minutes. I've also had a recent MRI that has shown some "light areas" on my brain (gulp!) but I don't know any more than that until I get to see a neurologist (and have only just been referred).

I scored zero on my last ATOS medical & have my appeal this Friday (23rd March). My question is which of the descriptors should I argue for at my appeal that have the best chance of obtaining the necessary amount of points? Due to the far reaching effects of my illnesses, I argued against all the descriptors with the DWP (which obviously had no effect), but I want to know if I should focus on any specifically.

I would love to hear from anyone who has had any similar (and successful) appeals or if you can offer any help/advice. I don't know what I'll do if I can't overturn the decision at this appeal :(

Thank you (in advance) :)

Marc

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

More
12 years 1 week ago #83632 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed
Have you looked at the support group descriptors and worked out which one/s fit your circumstances?

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 1 week ago - 12 years 1 week ago #83633 by Crazydiamond
Replied by Crazydiamond on topic Re:CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed
We can only offer general information about how the system works. We cannot however offer advice to individuals about specific benefit questions/problems under any circumstances. To give accurate and reliable advice about a specific benefits problem, we'd need to know a great deal about your own personal circumstances which is not possible in an open forum. To attempt to give advice without all this information and without access to your case papers, together with further in depth discussion on a one-to-one basis, would seriously risk misinforming you.

Please use the FAQs, or alternatively the forum search facility where you may already find an answer to your question?

If you cannot find an answer to your enquiry and need specific benefits advice, you can download the 12 page guide entitled "Getting help with your benefits" from the other resources section.

It is noted from your post that you have invited other members to comment and if they are able to offer any suggestions, they are welcome to make contributions if they can help with your enquiry?

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 12 years 1 week ago by Crazydiamond.

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

More
12 years 1 week ago #83634 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed

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.

  • Marc
  • Topic Author
12 years 1 week ago #83646 by Marc
Replied by Marc on topic Re:CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed
Apologies for making it specific. Maybe if people could answer based on general CFS descriptors when appealing then?

Thanks to the people who've answered so far :)

Marc

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

  • bro58
12 years 1 week ago #83649 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Re:CFS Descriptors Appeal Help Needed
Hi M,

Here are the historical posts that came up, when CFS was put into the search engine :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=adv...name=1&childforums=1

If you trawl through them, you may be able to glean some helpful information.

bro58

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

Moderators: bro58GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper 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.