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ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT

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6 years 11 months ago #185088 by CeeCee
ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT was created by CeeCee
Husband has been in the ESA ASSESSMENT phase for 14 weeks now. He already receives PIP mobility at the standard rate because he can't walk more than 40 or 50 m without becoming breathless. As I see it he should automatically be placed in the ESA support group on the same criterion used to determine his PIP mobility rate.

A call to enquire about the delay elicited the information that it can take MONTHS beyond the 12 week "assessment phase" to process the claim. I am expecting a call back because, as I explained, I do not understand the delay given that my husband already qualifies for PIP mobility due to his severe breathing problems.

We are really struggling financially whilst waiting to be put in main phase ESA. I am paying bank fees every month due to being forced to use my overdraft and even so, are not making ends meet. Our electricity (prepayment meter) is going to run out tomorrow and we won't get our next benefit payment till next week. I am worried my husband will end up in hospital as without electricity, the house gets really cold and cold badly effects his breathing.

It's terrible that sick and disabled people are put in this position by our callous government. Not surprised some say there is an unspoken policy to kill people off!!!

What can be done?

"Epilepsy is a condition that poses unique challenges to those living with it and should be considered a special case..... For most, seizures are unpredictable, a constant fear of what might happen and when.” EPILEPSY SOCIETY UK.

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6 years 11 months ago - 6 years 11 months ago #185104 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT
Hi CeeCee,

I am sorry that the delay in ESA assessment is causing you such hardship :(

The assessment period really only indicates when the full rate of payment should be backdated to, there is no actual time-frame in which DWP must have decided the case. These days most claimants seem to have things sorted within about 6 months of application (although we do still hear of occasional delays) - a while ago it was not unusual for things to take more than a year :angry:

There is no 'automatic' qualification for ESA, even when claimants are already in receipt of PIP. The descriptors are actually quite different, even where they appear similar. For instance, an ESA claimant will not score points on the 'mobility' descriptor unless they have shown a) that they cannot walk the required distance and b) that they would not be able to self-propel a wheelchair over the same distance. This is applicable even if the claimant has never had a wheelchair or been advised to use one!

In the meanwhile, the one thing that might help get things moving for you is to get your MP involved

Contacting your MP


May I suggest that you bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future? This will allow you to return with further questions or comments about your husband's ESA without having to start a new topic each time. We ask members to keep everything relating to the same claim in one topic as it helps us enormously - and I hope you will find it useful too :)

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 11 months ago by slugsta.
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6 years 11 months ago #185105 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT
CeeCee

There is one unfortunate problem, , ESA is not a walking test, it is a Mobility test! In addition to his walking it also considers his ability to self-propel a manual wheelchair over the same distances, he does not need to be using a wheelchair or even to own one for it to be considered. SO even if the PIP report is accepted unless he can also show that he cannot self-propel the wheelchair he will still not score points.

The DWP can prioritise his assessment if you are suffering financial hardship waiting for his ESA claim to be looked at, but they may well be unwilling to do this on your say so only, you might want to contact your MP for assistance.

Contacting your MP

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: CeeCee

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6 years 11 months ago #185125 by CeeCee
Replied by CeeCee on topic ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT
Thanks Mrs Hurtyback and Gordon. I will definitely consider involving my MP, who, as it happens, is a doctor himself.

Looking over the WCA Handbook and the material about my husband's condition, COPD, on the download section, the test is about functional ability, rather than walking per se. As his severe COPD greatly reduces his tolerance for exercise, I would say that propelling himself in a wheelchair wouldn't help him.....in fact it would probably make him even more breathless.

Thanks for the info about prioritising claims in hardship cases. Hopefully I will get a call back from the DWP tomorrow and they will move things more quickly.

I am worried about meeting the mortgage payments even though we don't have much left to pay off. I don't know how people with larger mortgages left to pay manage at all! Makes my blood boil when I heard about the wife of an MP receiving a Grant of £7 to refurbish her mansion.

"Epilepsy is a condition that poses unique challenges to those living with it and should be considered a special case..... For most, seizures are unpredictable, a constant fear of what might happen and when.” EPILEPSY SOCIETY UK.

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6 years 11 months ago #185129 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT
CeeCee,

Have you contacted your lender and explained the problem? Many of them are prepared to give a payment 'holiday' for a short period (although interest will continue to accrue).

There are very helpful agencies that can help you deal with your debts too - for instance 'stepchange'.

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

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6 years 11 months ago #185144 by CeeCee
Replied by CeeCee on topic ESA ASSESSMENT WAIT
Good advice about asking for a repayment holiday, Mrs Hurtyback. I haven't actually ran up any other debts so far (except maxing out my overdraft facility).

Been thinking about what Gordon said about self propelled manual wheelchair. How does a person who has never used one, or have access to one , go about proving that using one would not improve his mobility? Is it sufficient to argue that COPD causes low endurance and that the exertion required to self propel a wheelchair is similar to or greater than walking? This is worrying me ....was actually considering getting a wheelchair from a charity shop and testing it, though I know in advance that he still could not go more than 50m without getting breathless and tired.

"Epilepsy is a condition that poses unique challenges to those living with it and should be considered a special case..... For most, seizures are unpredictable, a constant fear of what might happen and when.” EPILEPSY SOCIETY UK.

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