IB to WRAG with no medical

Hi

I've recently received the result of my ESA50 submission following being on IB. I've been placed in the WRAG group but I believe I should be in the Support Group due to how far I can walk before having to stop to rest due to pain. I explained I am in severe pain before I even set off walking but can manage about 30 to 40 metres before having to stop to rest cos the pain has become overwhelming. I explained the physical illnesses I have which includes Sciatica, Arthritis in my Lumbar Region and both hips and 4 Slipped Discs which cause me to be in immense pain all the time but on the Medical Report Form (ESA85A) I requested it says:

"The available evidence does not suggest that the client has several restricted muscloskeletal function, such that they would be unable to mobilize more than 50 metres."

I have requested a GLA24 but am unsure what other evidence I can offer to show that I am unable to mobilize 50 metres.

I don't think I put down on my ESA50 form that I receive DLA High Rate Mobility, would that make any difference telling them that.

Also I sent them the results of an MRI Scan showing the 4 Slipped Discs, I did have a previous MRI Scan a few years previously which only showed 2 Slipped Discs, unfortunately I couldn't find the results, do you think it's worth paying to get a copy of that information from my GP, would it help?

I did put down how the side effects of medication affect me but that doesn't seem to have made any difference, I really don't think any employer would employ someone who suffers from dizziness, drowsiness, immense fatigue plus other side effects.

Before I forget thank you for the great guides that got me into the WRAG group, now I'll use the others to help me appeal the decision.

Best wishes

Catherine x

I don't think that the MRI will be of much help - the problem being that 2 people can have very similar MRIs but can be affected very differently. However, it is worth a try!

The person who did my assessment knows that I am on HRM due to pain, but they still assumed that I can walk 100m, hence the WRAG.

You can submit evidence from friends and family to back up your claim re walking distance although more weight would probably be given to something provided my a medic.

Catherine wrote:

Hi

I've recently received the result of my ESA50 submission following being on IB. I've been placed in the WRAG group but I believe I should be in the Support Group due to how far I can walk before having to stop to rest due to pain. I explained I am in severe pain before I even set off walking but can manage about 30 to 40 metres before having to stop to rest cos the pain has become overwhelming. I explained the physical illnesses I have which includes Sciatica, Arthritis in my Lumbar Region and both hips and 4 Slipped Discs which cause me to be in immense pain all the time but on the Medical Report Form (ESA85A) I requested it says:

"The available evidence does not suggest that the client has several restricted muscloskeletal function, such that they would be unable to mobilize more than 50 metres."

I have requested a GLA24 but am unsure what other evidence I can offer to show that I am unable to mobilize 50 metres.

I don't think I put down on my ESA50 form that I receive DLA High Rate Mobility, would that make any difference telling them that.

Also I sent them the results of an MRI Scan showing the 4 Slipped Discs, I did have a previous MRI Scan a few years previously which only showed 2 Slipped Discs, unfortunately I couldn't find the results, do you think it's worth paying to get a copy of that information from my GP, would it help?

I did put down how the side effects of medication affect me but that doesn't seem to have made any difference, I really don't think any employer would employ someone who suffers from dizziness, drowsiness, immense fatigue plus other side effects.

Before I forget thank you for the great guides that got me into the WRAG group, now I'll use the others to help me appeal the decision.

Best wishes

Catherine x

You have stated in your post about your inability to walk 50 metres, but this is not relevant to the ESA work capability assessment.

The test is whether a claimant can mobilise 50 metres. What this means in effect is that if you can propel a manual wheelchair more than 50 metres, even if you don't actually use one, you will not score points for the descriptor in question and therefore it would be very unlikely that you would meet the support group criteria on this descriptor alone.

It therefore follows that any mention of the fact that you receive DLA higher rate mobility, will be irrelevant for ESA purposes.