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IN ESA SUPPORT GROUP SINCE 10/09. WHAT IS NEXT?

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13 years 7 months ago #26080 by Deb Long
Thank you to Jim and all forum users for your responses. It strikes me that none of this is 'clear cut'...and it is not 'clear cut', for a reason.
Namely to give the DWP many attempts to foist as many people as possible on to JSA..off ESA ...and/or just hope that they give up!...(and live on WHAT I ask?!).

In my own case, I suspect my next large brown envelope will smack on to the door mat in just over 2 weeks time. I have spoken with my GP and OT both of whom will supply me with support letters if they are needed. I think the beginning of next year will find me in front of a tribunal, again. Lord alone knows what the tribunals cost to run? Does anyone know?
With regard to the forum user who was 'thinking outside the box', and suggested that another medical might be suitable for me...if my condition could improve....I would say that whilst I appreciate his thought process...long term, knowing the condition as I do now...having a medical would just put me back at the start of having to claim ESA...all over again. CFS/ME is very unpredictable unfortunately. I am currently having a mini 'flare up'...it is not nice.
Good luck to all of us.

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  • millymoo
13 years 7 months ago #26081 by millymoo
Hi Deb

If your gp and ot are willing to give supporting evidence then i would get that information straight away and send it off. My reason for this is i failed my medical the 1st time with only 9 points. CAB were on my case and requested supporting evedence from my gp which was totally in my favour. CAB faxed this off and within 30mins of me being with CAB the decision had been overturned and i had been placed into the support group for an indefinate period.

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress!!! ;)

Mm

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13 years 7 months ago #26096 by Gordon
gorchard

I'm not an expert, so I can only relate my experience.

I was recently turned down for ESA and have lodged an appeal. I received their determination letter on a Tuesday and sent an appeal letter on the Friday. The following week I received confirmation of the appeal and notice that my benefits would be re-instated.

My understanding is that re-instatement should be automatic, however, reading the forums there seem to be numerous cases where it is "forgotten".

The first thing your friend should do is read the ESA Appeals pdf in the members section. This explains the process and what you need to do at each stage,

Next, they should contact their local DWP office to find out what is going on and if necessary, make it clear that they wish to stay on the benefits they were originally receiving while the appeal process is actioned, in my case this was the assessment phase of ESA. Follow it up with a letter, confirming the conversation. I would recommend sending this as Recorded.

Hope this helps.

Steve

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

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  • gorchard
13 years 7 months ago #26157 by gorchard
Thanks for that Steve, he has sent his appeal and a MED5 to the DWP Recorded Delivery. He phoned them to make sure that they had received his appeal form.
Gary

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13 years 7 months ago #26207 by Deb Long
Hello Millymoo...and thank you for your response...I would be really interested to learn how you found out that you were in the support group for 'an indefinite period'? Was this written down somewhere? I have never, ever been informed how long I would be in the group for...and, therefore, have no REAL idea when I may, or may not, be reassessed! ...that is what is so unsettling for me...all the time.
I would be really grateful if you could throw some light on this for me.

Many thanks...a fellow sufferer! :(

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  • millymoo
13 years 7 months ago #26280 by millymoo
Hi Deb

When i received my letter from DWP i was advised that i had been placed in the support group and there was no date for reassessment. I took this decision letter to my work foccussed interview at pathways and it was the advisor that told me it was indefinate. If you need to know anything else i would be more than happy to help if i can.
It is now 14 months since medical and i havnt heard anything from them even though atos dr said i should be fit within 6 months. So obviously DWP have totally disregarded the medical and listened to my GP and consultant.

Kind regards
Mm :cheer:

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