ESA

Hi everyone,

I recently joined benefits and work after using the free stuff to fill in my first forms for esa nearly a year ago.
After my medical i got 6 points for not being able to sit,0 points for not being able to bend to my knees, i went to appeal,in June, and won,i recieved 15 points for not being able to bend plus the 6 already awarded....none of the other points were looked at as i had enough points,i was in there for a maximum of 5 minutes.
Iv now recieved another medical questionaire to fill in....im reading all the info on here but its so stressful going through it all again.
I have osteoarthritis in my lumber spine, elbows,fingers,knees and ankles but although its very painful i dont match many of the criterias,except for sitting and standing....im in pain when walking all the time,but i can do it.
Any advice would be welcome,im quite sure i couldnt work because of pain,and dread haviong to go on job seekers.

gilly1957 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I recently joined benefits and work after using the free stuff to fill in my first forms for esa nearly a year ago.
After my medical i got 6 points for not being able to sit,0 points for not being able to bend to my knees, i went to appeal,in June, and won,i recieved 15 points for not being able to bend plus the 6 already awarded....none of the other points were looked at as i had enough points,i was in there for a maximum of 5 minutes.
Iv now recieved another medical questionaire to fill in....im reading all the info on here but its so stressful going through it all again.
I have osteoarthritis in my lumber spine, elbows,fingers,knees and ankles but although its very painful i dont match many of the criterias,except for sitting and standing....im in pain when walking all the time,but i can do it.
Any advice would be welcome,im quite sure i couldnt work because of pain,and dread haviong to go on job seekers.

Hi G1957,

As you may be aware, some of the descriptors changed at the end of March this year, so the ESA50 will be different to the one you filled in last year.

Have you read all the new ESA Guides in the orange MEMBERS ONLY area on the left?

It would seem from the limitations that you mention, that you may pick up points in more of the descriptors.

Don't forget that any distance you can walk after suffering severe pain and discomfort does not count.

Also with regards to "Moving Around" this now includes the use of a manual wheelchair unaided, so any limitations with your upper body, hands, arms, shoulders,etc would count here.

Limitations in sitting, and being able to transfer unaided from one seat to another next to each other, also.

Remember,that with regards to the actions in the different questions, that you must be able to carry them out, Reasonably, Reliably and Safely, with "Reasonable Regularity" for the majority of the time.

The WCA Handbook may help, if you read that also, again in the MEMBERS ONLY area.

cheers

bro58

hi i have read your post the system is a utter
mess. the golden rule is two seek advice take time
filling in forms. when you went for the medical did
you take anyone with you. its important you do as
you have not said was it a atos doctor or a nurse
osteoarthritis is a severe problem as the advice
on hear it comes down to how you awnser the
questions on the form get as many people on your
side you can i.e your gp and ocupaitnal heath
have you got a carer do you have a stairlift.
remember you must if your refused go to appeal
theres info on the site to help you. atos seem to have
become judge and jury but if look at the appeal
results most of there decisions are overturned
ive been on incapacity benifit since 2007 and
dla if you not applied you must please keep us
in touch as ive never had a medical at all
take care keep your chin up. ruffles.