social contact descriptor and support group

Rachel, as usual a first class input from you, its very useful, they clearly mean therefore a severely socially phobic individual

This means also one without good days when they can, as it says ALWAYS

That will be the problem, the descriptor specifies ALWAYS

which means that concepts such as repeatdly or reliably able to perform a function, as per case law and guidance, does not assist a claimant with this particular descriptor who has some good days

Obviously any claimant trying to benefit from this descriptor can expect a forensic scrutiny of daily living to find any examples to deny them this descriptor, or if the HCP is kinly and good natured, the oppositem an attempt to question to find sufficient evidence to apply this one

re reading the question from the form

16 (a) Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual. 15 points

and reading all the imput from others ... I think 16 is wrote in such a way that its only going to be met by a small group of people with very serious problems at one end of the spectrum

the most many will get is 9

I had my reassessment for ESA under the new ESA regime within the last month & was moved from the WRAG to the Support Group. I have ME/CFS & secondary depression & answered 'No' to number 16 in detail on 2 A4 typed pages the reasons why.
I don't know how my answer was interpreted by the HCP & DM as I am waiting to receive the relevant reports & will then post again.
mayflower

Hi Mayflower, please do let us all know whether it was the social contact descriptor that was applied, and on what basis, and as well a summary of your problems that they accepted, the sort of and extent of your difficulty

Thanks

mayflower wrote:

I had my reassessment for ESA under the new ESA regime within the last month & was moved from the WRAG to the Support Group. I have ME/CFS & secondary depression & answered 'No' to number 16 in detail on 2 A4 typed pages the reasons why.
I don't know how my answer was interpreted by the HCP & DM as I am waiting to receive the relevant reports & will then post again.
mayflower

40 pages hospitails write to gps giving them all the info on someone they have seen who is nearly dead in less than 10 lines... you must have scared them that if it went to appeal you would send 4000 pages

joking aside its shows give them ALL the information you can

Xfactor wrote they clearly mean therefore a severely socially phobic individual

CD wrote
Really?


It is suggested in the guides that severe anxiety would cover this and I guess, someone who is severely socially phobic could be classed as having severe anxiety?

Best wishes,
Rachel