ESA50 Going Out

Hi,

I raised the "Going Out" question, along the same lines, with my Benefits Advisor, to be told that it was not my physical limitations that prevented me from going out, and having a social life, but that it was my "choice" not to do so. Therefore, I did not score any points for that descriptor. Some choice!

We can all try to push the one by writing to our MPs to try and get some change. It's clearly a money-saving measure, which I suspect the DWP hopes can be used to stop those with issues such a fatigue and brain fog from physical ailments such as MS, ME and Fibromyaligia from getting enough points to get higher levels of benefit.

I think it will be found to be unsustainable.

I believe we will find that this distinction gets challenged at Appeal level, as it may require the Decision makers to differentiate between those issues which are problems of the brain and those which are problems of the mind - if anyone can so distinguish. Philosophers, psychologists and neurologists wrestle with that distinction so I'm not sure how Atos HCPs and DWP DMs are going to decide it in the few minutes they can devote to any one case.

The following extract appears at the top of the page 13, Part 2: Mental, cognitive and intellectual functions, of the new ESA50:
By mental, cognitive and intellectual functions we mean things like mental illness, learning
difficulties and the effects of head injuries or other brain or neurological conditions.
I am of the mind (no pun intended )of repeating the information wherever I feel it is relevant.
Thank goodness for copy and paste.