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ESA support group
- Kim
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6 years 2 months ago #226712 by Kim
ESA support group was created by Kim
Hi
I have been in support group of ESA since I was retired on ill health in 2011, I was told last year as long as I could provide a not fit to work certificate from my GP then I would simply remain in this group
Imagine my horror when a 24 page work capability assessment form hit my doormat, I am currently suffering from severe depression and am going into hospital on 6.3.19 my form has to be back by 24.3.19
I asked DWP for extension due to me being in hospital for a 5 th knee replacement- so not in anyway fit to answer any questions was told ask medical services which I did they said it down to DWP to decide that!!!
My GP knows I am not fit to work I have been attending a lot recently as anti depressants made me ill so he wanted to just check up on me as I had been feeling suicidal
Can we return form with copy of my ill health retirement which states I am incompatible with work and a not fit to work certificate or do I have to get someone to help me complete them
I have subscribed to you but even the guides are like too confusing for me at the minute
I have physical disabilities caused by removal of liver tumour in 2006 I had surgery every year until 2011 to try and keep my multiple hernias at bay but they are back. I also have neuropathic CRPS and this is causing me problems with my hands; sometimes I just drop what I am holding ( a pint cup of very hot tea one time) the pain in my spine and abdomen are excruciating. I have osteoarthritis in both knees which have been replaced multiple times I also have it in my shoulders and that is getting worse by the day
O
Please can someone help me I once held a very intelligent job which I worked hard to get but know it's like the words all jumble up. My local CAB is not very helpful they attempted to help me with my DLA -PIP assessment I lost it all and did my own MR letter which hot me most of it back at appeal a DWP lady went into tribunal before me and my carer for 20 mins I have no idea what she said but they were not pleasant with me and even when I said I struggled severely driving car to new places they ignored it I was devastated I needed 4 points to get the higher rates they awarded me 1
I can't go through that again it will destroy me
I apologise for this rant but it been on my mind since Friday and can't get it out of my head that they are trying to get me out of support category
I have cried every night about this
It's taken me two hors to type this
Any advice greatly appreciated thank you
Kim
I have been in support group of ESA since I was retired on ill health in 2011, I was told last year as long as I could provide a not fit to work certificate from my GP then I would simply remain in this group
Imagine my horror when a 24 page work capability assessment form hit my doormat, I am currently suffering from severe depression and am going into hospital on 6.3.19 my form has to be back by 24.3.19
I asked DWP for extension due to me being in hospital for a 5 th knee replacement- so not in anyway fit to answer any questions was told ask medical services which I did they said it down to DWP to decide that!!!
My GP knows I am not fit to work I have been attending a lot recently as anti depressants made me ill so he wanted to just check up on me as I had been feeling suicidal
Can we return form with copy of my ill health retirement which states I am incompatible with work and a not fit to work certificate or do I have to get someone to help me complete them
I have subscribed to you but even the guides are like too confusing for me at the minute
I have physical disabilities caused by removal of liver tumour in 2006 I had surgery every year until 2011 to try and keep my multiple hernias at bay but they are back. I also have neuropathic CRPS and this is causing me problems with my hands; sometimes I just drop what I am holding ( a pint cup of very hot tea one time) the pain in my spine and abdomen are excruciating. I have osteoarthritis in both knees which have been replaced multiple times I also have it in my shoulders and that is getting worse by the day
O
Please can someone help me I once held a very intelligent job which I worked hard to get but know it's like the words all jumble up. My local CAB is not very helpful they attempted to help me with my DLA -PIP assessment I lost it all and did my own MR letter which hot me most of it back at appeal a DWP lady went into tribunal before me and my carer for 20 mins I have no idea what she said but they were not pleasant with me and even when I said I struggled severely driving car to new places they ignored it I was devastated I needed 4 points to get the higher rates they awarded me 1
I can't go through that again it will destroy me
I apologise for this rant but it been on my mind since Friday and can't get it out of my head that they are trying to get me out of support category
I have cried every night about this
It's taken me two hors to type this
Any advice greatly appreciated thank you
Kim
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- Gordon
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6 years 2 months ago #226745 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA support group
Kim
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
I'm afraid there is no extension available for returning the ESA50 and failing to return the form can result in your claim being closed.
ESA has very specific criteria that you will need to show that you meet, none of the issues that you mention directly address these so I am doubtful that your ill health retirement report will help you avoid completing the form.
Do you know how you qualified for the Support Group previously?
See if you can get help with completing the form, do an internet search for "welfare advice" with your postcode, town or county. You can also try any charities that specialise in your conditions.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
I'm afraid there is no extension available for returning the ESA50 and failing to return the form can result in your claim being closed.
ESA has very specific criteria that you will need to show that you meet, none of the issues that you mention directly address these so I am doubtful that your ill health retirement report will help you avoid completing the form.
Do you know how you qualified for the Support Group previously?
See if you can get help with completing the form, do an internet search for "welfare advice" with your postcode, town or county. You can also try any charities that specialise in your conditions.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Kim
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6 years 2 months ago #226786 by Kim
Replied by Kim on topic ESA support group
Hi
I thank you for your reply
I am sorry you don’t think any of my medical conditions would put me in the support group
I was retired on ill health for all the reasons I told you was wrong with me
All my conditions are medically proven by consultants so I don’t know why you would think it is not enough for me to remain in the support category
I paid to subscribe to this group in the hope you would be able to help me complete the forms I didn’t think I would get a WCA for my contribution based ESA so soon
I have printed off the very large guides to how to complete this form but as each one is 80+ pages long that distresses me as much as ESA form I expected them to be much easier to follow I just hope I can get some advice on completing them. My GP is disgusted as he assumed as my retirement stated ‘ will never be compatable with work again in her working life’ he is going to help me by sending supporting evidence
I can only hope that DWP will see I need to remain in support category
I will let you know
Thankyou
Kim
I thank you for your reply
I am sorry you don’t think any of my medical conditions would put me in the support group
I was retired on ill health for all the reasons I told you was wrong with me
All my conditions are medically proven by consultants so I don’t know why you would think it is not enough for me to remain in the support category
I paid to subscribe to this group in the hope you would be able to help me complete the forms I didn’t think I would get a WCA for my contribution based ESA so soon
I have printed off the very large guides to how to complete this form but as each one is 80+ pages long that distresses me as much as ESA form I expected them to be much easier to follow I just hope I can get some advice on completing them. My GP is disgusted as he assumed as my retirement stated ‘ will never be compatable with work again in her working life’ he is going to help me by sending supporting evidence
I can only hope that DWP will see I need to remain in support category
I will let you know
Thankyou
Kim
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- Gordon
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6 years 2 months ago #226790 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA support group
Kim
Please understand that I am not saying that you cannot qualify for the Support Group again but ESA has very specific, legally defined criteria, it is not about your conditions but rather the limitations that result from them in regard to a range of work related activities, for example; one of the Descriptors looks at whether you can pick up a one pound coin, another looks at whether you can go out or not.
I will do my best to help you through your completing the form but I can't do it for you.
I know the guides look daunting but they do explain the criteria you have to meet and how to phrase an answer based on your individual problems.
Gordon
Please understand that I am not saying that you cannot qualify for the Support Group again but ESA has very specific, legally defined criteria, it is not about your conditions but rather the limitations that result from them in regard to a range of work related activities, for example; one of the Descriptors looks at whether you can pick up a one pound coin, another looks at whether you can go out or not.
I will do my best to help you through your completing the form but I can't do it for you.
I know the guides look daunting but they do explain the criteria you have to meet and how to phrase an answer based on your individual problems.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Kim
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6 years 2 months ago #226810 by Kim
Replied by Kim on topic ESA support group
Thankyou
I am ploughing through guides very slowly I am also seeing my gp who is furious can he write that I should be exempt as I suffer so greatly with physical/ mental health that simply receiving this form has significantly altered my mental health
And all of the questions they ask I would have to say it varies as my physical illness makes everything exhausting even reading through a few pages exhausts me
Even these messages are done by my son as I cannot type for that amount of time
I am so confused I think I need someone to go through this step by step question by question
We are trying to get hold of. Age concern to see if they can help
I will add this is destroying my mums mental heath which in turn affects her physical health
I am very angry that after 8 years with no contact suddenly this form arrives it has caused mum untold damage
Thankyou
I am ploughing through guides very slowly I am also seeing my gp who is furious can he write that I should be exempt as I suffer so greatly with physical/ mental health that simply receiving this form has significantly altered my mental health
And all of the questions they ask I would have to say it varies as my physical illness makes everything exhausting even reading through a few pages exhausts me
Even these messages are done by my son as I cannot type for that amount of time
I am so confused I think I need someone to go through this step by step question by question
We are trying to get hold of. Age concern to see if they can help
I will add this is destroying my mums mental heath which in turn affects her physical health
I am very angry that after 8 years with no contact suddenly this form arrives it has caused mum untold damage
Thankyou
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- Gordon
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6 years 2 months ago - 6 years 2 months ago #226814 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA support group
Kim
Your GP will need to do more than write, they need to be available to take any questions that Maximus might have about your conditions and how they relate to the ESA criteria.
Maximus needs to be able to produce a report for the DWP and they can only do this if they have sufficient information.
You should be assessed on the basis of how you are for the majority of the time but you do need to also explain what you can do at your worst and when you are at your best, make sure that you explain how often you are affected in each way.
Whilst I am sure it is no comfort, you have been lucky if it has been eight years since you were last assessed, the normal period is a maximum of every three years and often less than this.
Gordon
Your GP will need to do more than write, they need to be available to take any questions that Maximus might have about your conditions and how they relate to the ESA criteria.
Maximus needs to be able to produce a report for the DWP and they can only do this if they have sufficient information.
You should be assessed on the basis of how you are for the majority of the time but you do need to also explain what you can do at your worst and when you are at your best, make sure that you explain how often you are affected in each way.
Whilst I am sure it is no comfort, you have been lucky if it has been eight years since you were last assessed, the normal period is a maximum of every three years and often less than this.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 2 months ago by Gordon.
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