Supporting evidence: How much and what kind?

My mother and I are trying to fill out her ESA50 but are finding it difficult to do so. My mother had to previously appeal when her IB claim was denied and this had a serious effect her mental wellbeing. We’re having difficultly on deciding how much support evidence to send off and what kind of letters would be appropriate.

My mother initially wanted to send off 3 of letters out of couple dozen other letters as her supporting evidence but i find this to be a stupid idea. Her reasoning for this is that those 3 letters are most recent and she feels that DM will ignore relatively dated medical letters despite the fact that her condition is ongoing.
I feel she should include even the dated letters as it provides a valid picture of her ongoing condition and highlights how chronic her pain and discomfort has become over the years.

Another issue is what kind of letters to include. Mum has a lot of more letters that i think she should include but she is worried as these letters focuses on other aspects of condition e.g. excessive foul flatulence rather than her main complaint (severe abdominal pain) which the letters do highlight but very briefly. She is scared that DM will assume that foul flatulence is her main complaint and ignore her main issues with severe abdominal pain.

What do you think we should do? She is freaking out so much and i just want to reassure her a little bit. Should we include relatively dated letters? And how you do think the DM will perceive letters that focuses on combination of health issues (some severe, some less severe) or will that take the focus away from the main health complaint.

Sorry for rambling on, it’s just that her form is due in next Friday and we’re just realising that how tricky this form is. Her condition doesn’t fit into those tick boxes. I’m just scared, really scared.

We would appreciate any advise on this matter!

We have been reading the ESA guides but the thing is mother's condition doesn't fit properly into the ESA point based criteria.

They have made it so hard, we're struggling to get point in the few sections that apply to her. Where in the form do they acknowledge levels of pain or depression?

It's no one gives damn about your condition unless you can't walk, use two steps or set an alarm clock. It seems no cares if you're experiencing severe pain and agony, day in, day out.

I just don't know how much more stress and bad news we can take. I don't mean to rant and i am so thankful for the advice and support on here but i feel so helpless. My mum has been through so much and i don't want to see her any more pain or distress.

Blackout wrote:

We have been reading the ESA guides but the thing is mother's condition doesn't fit properly into the ESA point based criteria.

They have made it so hard, we're struggling to get point in the few sections that apply to her. Where in the form do they acknowledge levels of pain or depression?

It's no one gives damn about your condition unless you can't walk, use two steps or set an alarm clock. It seems no cares if you're experiencing severe pain and agony, day in, day out.

I just don't know how much more stress and bad news we can take. I don't mean to rant and i am so thankful for the advice and support on here but i feel so helpless. My mum has been through so much and i don't want to see her any more pain or distress.

Hi B,

You have my sympathy.

Rather than thinking about the actual pain depression etc, think more of all your Mum's limitations caused by the pain, etc.

You may find this easier, don't forget, it is not the actual conditions themselves that give the award of ESA, it is the resulting limitations.

Write down a list of all the limitations that Mum suffers, even ones that you may think are unimportant, then try and tie these in with the relevant questions.

If you don't think the tick box covers the limitations that Mum suffers, it is safer to tick no, and then go into detail, either in the box provided, or on seperate additional pages if needed.

Also remember with respect to limitations suffered, it counts for the majority of the time, and not necessarily all of the time.

Also any actions that Mum can do , must be able to be carried out, Repeatedly, Reliably, and Safely.

Mention any risk involved such as falls etc, go into as much detail as you can, too much is better than not enough.

Hope this helps.

bro58

Blackout wrote:

We have been reading the ESA guides but the thing is mother's condition doesn't fit properly into the ESA point based criteria.

Does your mother take medication for her severe abdominal pain?

Perhaps the side-effects of drowsiness etc., make it difficult for her to learn simple tasks and relate socially?

I know that's certainly the case with my auntie, who suffers with a similar complaint.

She has to take Tramadol and hardly knows what day of the week it is.

This is all very trying for people who already have more than enough to endure.

I wish you the best of luck.

Mark Sutton wrote:

Blackout wrote:

We have been reading the ESA guides but the thing is mother's condition doesn't fit properly into the ESA point based criteria.

Does your mother take medication for her severe abdominal pain?

Perhaps the side-effects of drowsiness etc., make it difficult for her to learn simple tasks and relate socially?

I know that's certainly the case with my auntie, who suffers with a similar complaint.

She has to take Tramadol and hardly knows what day of the week it is.

This is all very trying for people who already have more than enough to endure.

I wish you the best of luck.

Yes,

That's a valid point Mark, any limitations caused by medication taken for existing conditions should also be mentioned.

bro58