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does this meet support group descriptors

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12 years 4 months ago #72978 by Feelinghopeless
does this meet support group descriptors was created by Feelinghopeless
Hi, I have been on WRAG ESA for a year and currently awaiting decision of latest ESA claim from my ESA50. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety and depression and social phobia and I attend a therapeutic group once a week(where I am picked up and taken back home by another group member.

Recently my psychiatrist referred me to the Community Living Team, Mental Health, Social Services for Adults, and today the head of that department came to visit me to see if I would benefit from a weekly support worker. She assessed me for two hours and concluded that I would be appointed a weekly support worker who at first would work on my current issues, not being able to open the door to people, pick up the phone, or even the fact that I cannot even walk as far as the front gate on bad days, or even get up, and often miss my therapeutic community day service. She sazid that she could see that in 6 months, I might be able to actually catch a bus.

Surely if I am limited to this degree, unless they consider me working at home in some way - not that I would be able to answer the door or use a phone, then surely I could not be considered for any sort of work at this time and would have grounds for appeal if I once again go into the WRAG group. My welfare rights officer who completed my most recent claim said that she felt that my condition had worsened.

Also, although my DLA is not dur for renewal until April, should I copy my referral letter from the psychiatrist - I am on high rate care and lower rate mobility and my need for a support worker, or will this go against me, because if I have a support worker, it means that I am going to be in a position where I can get out and about which is my hope, even if it takes a year.

Sorry for this long post.

Thanks,

Mel

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  • bro58
12 years 4 months ago - 12 years 4 months ago #72985 by bro58
Mel wrote:

Hi, I have been on WRAG ESA for a year and currently awaiting decision of latest ESA claim from my ESA50. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety and depression and social phobia and I attend a therapeutic group once a week(where I am picked up and taken back home by another group member.

Recently my psychiatrist referred me to the Community Living Team, Mental Health, Social Services for Adults, and today the head of that department came to visit me to see if I would benefit from a weekly support worker. She assessed me for two hours and concluded that I would be appointed a weekly support worker who at first would work on my current issues, not being able to open the door to people, pick up the phone, or even the fact that I cannot even walk as far as the front gate on bad days, or even get up, and often miss my therapeutic community day service. She sazid that she could see that in 6 months, I might be able to actually catch a bus.

Surely if I am limited to this degree, unless they consider me working at home in some way - not that I would be able to answer the door or use a phone, then surely I could not be considered for any sort of work at this time and would have grounds for appeal if I once again go into the WRAG group. My welfare rights officer who completed my most recent claim said that she felt that my condition had worsened.

Also, although my DLA is not dur for renewal until April, should I copy my referral letter from the psychiatrist - I am on high rate care and lower rate mobility and my need for a support worker, or will this go against me, because if I have a support worker, it means that I am going to be in a position where I can get out and about which is my hope, even if it takes a year.

Sorry for this long post.

Thanks,

Mel


Hi Mel,

Unfortunately, just because a claimants limitations would seem to qualify them for SG status, does not always mean that the claimant will gain said SG status.

All you can do is put your case for SG entry across as best you can.

With regard to your DLA, if you inform them of a change in circumstances, therefore triggering a review, your whole DLA award will be looked at again.

There is obviously some risk involved here in that your current award could be reduced or lost.

It may be advisable to discuss this with the Welfare Rights Officer that you mention, and have him risk assess the chances of this happening.

cheers

bro58
Last edit: 12 years 4 months ago by bro58.

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12 years 4 months ago #72990 by Feelinghopeless
Replied by Feelinghopeless on topic Re:does this meet support group descriptors
Thanks Bro58, I do remember reading on my first letter from the DLA and on my ESA letter, that if my condition changed in anyway, that I had to inform them. If I do not declare that I am now having a support worker, will they not discount it at my DLA review because I did not inform them? When I was first given DLA, my psychiatrist said that I could deal with going to familiar places, but not unfamiliar places, now any form of exposure is deeply distressing, so my situation has changed. If it is best not to supply this info then I will leave it, just thought it was something we had to do.

Regards, Mel

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  • bro58
12 years 4 months ago #72992 by bro58
Mel wrote:

Thanks Bro58, I do remember reading on my first letter from the DLA and on my ESA letter, that if my condition changed in anyway, that I had to inform them. If I do not declare that I am now having a support worker, will they not discount it at my DLA review because I did not inform them? When I was first given DLA, my psychiatrist said that I could deal with going to familiar places, but not unfamiliar places, now any form of exposure is deeply distressing, so my situation has changed. If it is best not to supply this info then I will leave it, just thought it was something we had to do.

Regards, Mel


Hi Mel

You are supposed to inform the DWP, with regards to any change in your limitations or circumstances.

I would still discuss this issue with your Welfare Rights Officer.

cheers

bro58

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12 years 4 months ago #72994 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:does this meet support group descriptors
Mel

The following DirectGov page, explains more about what the DWP mean by a Change of Circumstances.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/fina...lsupport/dg_10012424

Gordon

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

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