esa medical

Hi I am new to this and would welcome some advice and help...
I am employed by a council and have worked there for over 20yrs.I have been on sick leave after a shoulder op March 2010. Occupational health will not allow me to return to work due to the nature of my job - I work with clients in their own homes alone and may need to assist them with tasks. I have now had all my SSP and applied for ESA 6 wks ago .... filled in the questionaire form and was sent for a medical. Attended the medical which was really stressful. The Dr was very non welcoming and made me feel like a benefit scrounger. I don't think I will score the necessary points to qualify as the assessment did not really cover my limitations re strength and limited movement at the shoulder plus neck pain. So does that mean I will not get any benefit at all? I will not receive any pay from my employer very soon. So quite worried as Occ Health will not agree to me returning to work yet even though I have tried to suggest a trail just to try. Sorry to be long winded but it is difficult to explain.Thanks M

If the report says that you did not score sufficient points, then you can expect that you won't get ESA. However, if you don't get it, but believe that you should have scored enough points, you can appeal.

Have you done the test on the right hand side of the homepage? If not, that would give you an idea of how many points you should score.

If you do not get ESA and you either don't appeal or are turned down on appeal, if you needed money to live on, you could claim jobseekers allowance. If you claim JSA, you must take active steps to look for work.

If you want to go back to your existing job or to look for work elsewhere, you may be able to ask an employer to make what are called reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act. I can't advise you on whether your condition would amount to a disability under the act. You may find this link helpful. www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-g...ility-in-employment/

Hi Thanks for info - checked out the link which was helpful.I do plan/ hope to return to work and with support from occupational health hope to have some adjustments. So I can't claim job seekers allowance.
My main worry is what happens if I do not have any income re benefits as may need to stay off sick a bit longer. Currently having futher medical tests which the Dr did record at the medical ... but that doesn't seem to count for points.

If you aren't awarded ESA following your medical, you can continue to receive assessment-rate ESA whilst you appeal.