ESA benefit,

Good afternoon to all who's present. I am a new subscriber, so please be patient with me ! I have R/R MS and had to apply for ESA last year because my husband died suddenly from a heart attack. It has been a horible year and going through the ESA process has been tough. Alas it is not over as I have just received form ESA50 again. Does anyone know if this is normal ? Do I have to do this every year ? Thank you in advance to anyone who cares to respond, Alison x

Modedit: Moved to Questions Forum. Gordon

Gordon,
Thank you for your speedy reply.

HI Alison
I wanted to say welcome to B&W & the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. My own husband had a totally unexpected heart attack in Dec 09 followed by another in Jan 10 followed by surgery. From his perspective & mine he has fortunately recovered. At the same time I too was having to claim for ESA for CFS/ME, successfully thanks to this site. I was scared stiff by his illnesses & surgery so I perhaps have a little bit of an idea of what it must be like for you but you are having to live with the reality of something I didn't.
The guides on this site are excellent, as are the moderators, even though they can't always answer specific questions they always do their best & the members are incredibly supportive of each other. Many have posted that it's like having a really understanding & supportive family but online & which I can vouch for.
I very much hope you are successful with your ESA claim & that life will begin to seem a little brighter.

love maggie

Hi Maggie
Thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to read my message. I'm so sorry that your husband has a heart condition but so very pleased that he has recovered. I hope you are well also ? You must be so relived that your claim was successful. I have been reading through the posts and I am so pleased that everyone wants to be so helpful. I keep reading the ESA50 form but still find it daunting. I think they took pity on me last time because I was grieving (which I still am) and not because of my R/R MS. Pretty sure I'll be placed in J/S this time but I'll try my best at the form filling !
Thank you Maggie, I wish you and your husband good health and happiness for many, many, many years,
love and hugs, Alison xx