please help!

Hi, I am a 44 year old single mother of four teenagers and I have a chronic depressive illness, chronic fatigue syndrome and I suffer very badly from IBS and migraines. I wasn't awarded ESA after my ATOS medical, having only scored 6 points, and have set the appeal process in motion.
I'm not too sure why I am writing this, mainly just a life line as I feel incredibly sad and lost. I have parred down my life as much as I can in order to be a good mum, who can keep her illnesses covered up as much as possible. Despite this, there are still things I struggle with, (housework, going out on my own when feeling anxious etc), and I just don't know what would happen if I was forced to work.
I am very scared of going through the appeal process but know I'll have to.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Rachel

Hi Rachel, Please get some face to face advice from a Welfare rights officer or the CAB. Take all your paperwork with you. (Did you submit any written medical evidence from your GP/consultant) Read all the guides on this site regardind ESA in the members section. Good Luck

Fedup wrote:

Hi, I am a 44 year old single mother of four teenagers and I have a chronic depressive illness, chronic fatigue syndrome and I suffer very badly from IBS and migraines. I wasn't awarded ESA after my ATOS medical, having only scored 6 points, and have set the appeal process in motion.
I'm not too sure why I am writing this, mainly just a life line as I feel incredibly sad and lost. I have parred down my life as much as I can in order to be a good mum, who can keep her illnesses covered up as much as possible. Despite this, there are still things I struggle with, (housework, going out on my own when feeling anxious etc), and I just don't know what would happen if I was forced to work.
I am very scared of going through the appeal process but know I'll have to.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Rachel

Speaking from personal experience although the appeal process can be stressful, you have started the ball rolling by lodging an appeal against the adverse ESA decision.

Around 40% of ESA appeals before the tribunals are successful, particularly if you can secure representation from a CAB or welfare rights office. Furthermore, there are guides to assist you with an appeal in the ESA resources area HERE.

An important consideration to be taken into account, is that if your existing medical condition has significantly worsened since your last ESA claim or indeed you have a new medical condition, you can make a claim for ESA at any time. In these circumstances you are not required to wait twenty six weeks from the original decision, before you can claim ESA again. There is nothing to prevent you having a new claim and an appeal running concurrently if appropriate?

Thankyou for replying so quickly. I wasnt aware of Welfare Rights Officers, so will look that up tomorrow. My local CAB is a bit scary for a few personal reasons unfortunately! I have been trying to read the notes on this (fantastic) website but my concentration is a bit grim at the moment.
Sorry to ask another question, but have you any idea how long it will be before I get a Tribunal?
Many thanks again, Rachel

Hi there Rachel
However sad and lost you are feeling just now please take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in that. I know just how that feels as do many on this site. It can feel terribly overwhelming when you have thoughts of appeals, assessments, work, going out, all at the same time. I'm sure someone will be able to advise on next step with appeals more than i can as i am yet to experience that.
One thing at a time one day at a time is what i try to do, on bad days its one hour at a time, very bad days its a minute at a time.
Great on you and well done for being there for your children, it must have been a challenge at times, I admire your resilience
Bless you and a big hug

Carole