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ESA claim with little to no support. Any ideas?

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5 years 8 months ago #214976 by Steve Blue
My brother received his ESA renewal today... and with less than a month until it's deadline :(

Previously my brother has been placed within the support group - about 2 or so years ago - and there has been no improvement in his condition. In one way though, it has worsened. As well as have certain mental conditions, depression mainly (for which he takes anti-depressants), he also has some degree of agoraphobia, and during the latter part of 2017 he completed testing and was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome.

My worry...

As well as being tested last year my brother was also seeing a psychiatrist for support. But this course of 'treatment' and testing has now ended, so with regards to a letter of support from a health practirioner there seems little to nowhere to get it.

Yes, there is his GP, but word now is that the pratice no longer gives support. And only speaks to the DWP if they are contacted directly (they have supplied support material before but I think they have change their procedures due the the practive no being too busy, cuts etc). So by brother is left with no support.

True, myself and my mum could write support letters as we witness my brother's condition and how it affects his day to day life.

Any ideas? I'm just worried for him - very - without going into too much detail :unsure:

Any advice you might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards -
Bluebear.

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5 years 8 months ago #214997 by Gordon
BB

It would be worth checking your brother's medical records at the GP Practice, it would be usual for any Consultants that he saw to regularly write to the GP to update them on progress and there should certainly be a letter when he was discharged with his status at that time.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 8 months ago #215444 by Steve Blue
Replied by Steve Blue on topic ESA claim with little to no support. Any ideas?
Good news and bad?

Good news... my brother has found a letter from his consultant (end of 2017) which states almost everything needed to be beneficial for his claim.

A (possible) downside... my brother's doctor confirmed he would write a support letter which highlighted key points of my brother's condition. We have the letter already, but my brother thinks it seems strangely worded.

For example, it says, Mr ***** says he is unable to tolerate change to circumstances. And later on, Mr ***** says he has suicidal thoughts.

The consultants' letter is very good. But, the letter of support from my brother's doctor, might come across like there's an element of disbelief? We may be being over concerned. We just feel it would have been better to have read: Mr **** is unable to tolerate change, and Mr ***** has suicidal thoughts.

My brother, especially with his Aspergers, is now concerned is won't help :(

I've tried to reassure him by saying it's more than likely just been written my his doctor's secretary, so may not be worded perfectly.

What do you think?

Kind regards,
Bluebear

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5 years 8 months ago #215457 by Gordon
BB

Most often when we see "my patient says..." then it is the doctor saying "I've been told this by my patient but I have no way of verifying the information is correct". It is not usually seen as being a positive statement of a claimants problems.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 8 months ago #215475 by Steve Blue
Replied by Steve Blue on topic ESA claim with little to no support. Any ideas?
Hi Gordon,

When you say, "It is not usually seen as being a positive statement of a claimants problems," what does that that mean exactly. I might be having blonde day. Would you be able to put it a different way, please? It doesn't sound positive. I'm unsure whether I'm misreading it.

Cheers -
Bluebear

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5 years 8 months ago #215485 by Gordon
BB

No, I don't think it is positive.


So the doctor is saying "I've been told this by my patient but I have no way of verifying the information is correct, I am simply repeating this because they have asked me to", so their statements are virtually worthless.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Steve Blue

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