ESA - Lots of questions from a confused mum

I just found this Newcastle City Council link www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_ifwpwork

They say that whilst there are limits to the number of paid hours a person on ESA can do, there is no limit to the number of hours of voluntary work they can do.

("There are some specific types of work a person can do without limit on the number of hours or the period of work, and continue to claim incapacity benefits. This includes...Voluntary work")

Hi Derek
I was gob smacked too. We went for the medical on the Tuesday (4th) and the letter sent out to me was dated Friday 7th - couldn't believe it, and to top it off they have already paid my daughter her back pay entitlement. A bit too quick for my liking - makes me concerned that they are not reading these medical reports and recommendations properly.
I was worried that as she works 4hrs a week for an autism charity at the moment if she manages to get other voluntary work (through these pathways interviews? do they help find such work?) that they will look at her benefits again. Seeing we've gone through hell and high water to get it I don't want it jeopardised in any way. She will never be able to work in industry in a paid job which DWP have not recognised and thankfully the little work she does do is for an autism charity who understand her and her needs. Even going to these interviews will be hard for her. Her anxiety level still has not recovered from the medical of last week. I'm seriously considering not appealing against WRAG group purely on the basis that she could not cope with a tribunal panel. I spend all my time building what little confidence she has and trying to boost her self esteem to see it all blown away at these interviews when I have to sit there, in front of her, and say she can't do this and she can't do that. It's not good for her or me!

I am on IB and I do voluntary work. I've never had any problems with the DWP even when doing quite a lot of work, so I got the impression that they'd got bigger fish to fry than getting interested in someone doing a bit of voluntary work.

Perhaps some people on here that claim ESA can tell us what their experiences have been?

Jannyjam wrote:

After attending the ESA/ATOS medical last week with my daughter who has aspergers syndrome with learning difficulties we heard today (yes, how quick was that) that she has been awarded ESA and placed in WRAG. I think she needs to be in the support group so intend to appeal the decision. I have asked for her medical report. Will this tell me how often she will need to go to these ATOS medicals if she remains in WRAG? There is nothing in the letter we received to say how long the benefit will be paid for - all very confusing and ridiculous as aspergers is a life long condition with no cure. If she has to attend the 6 interviews at the jobcentre what happens afterwards if she still hasn't got a job? Do they cut benefits? Also if she manages to find paid work/voluntary work how many hours can she do a week before they cut her benefit?

Is she pure asperger or autistic with asperger ? and have you an old education SEN report with all the attachments OT ect


to get in support group with just asperger IMO would be hard and a lot would depend on school reports and IQ

If she has low IQ that would help get support group

Hi Dave
She has aspergers with learning difficulties with low IQ and functions well below her chronological age. I have all reports from her special school and also her SEN. I submitted some of these with the questionnaire and which the medical Dr at ATOS had actually bothered to read. I just get really annoyed that they seem to lump everyone with autism/autism spectrum together not grasping that every single case is like a finger print - unique and completely individual and should be treated as such. I would dearly love to hear experiences and results from anyone else who is on the spectrum and who has appealed.

Thanks for looking it up Survivor.

Jannyjam, if you explain at the first PWI that you feel being forced to attend these interviews would be too much for your daughter and detrimental to her health, they can defer the interviews.

With regards to an appeal tribunal, whilst it is helpful for the appellant to attend, it is not mandatory; you would be able to attend on your own. I would expect a tribunal to understand why she may find it too stressful to attend and as her mother you would be in a good position to give evidence.

Good luck

Derek