ESA form

Hi again,
I have filled in the ESA form here, on this website and I am very confused with my results,so please would someone explain what this means.
I assessed myself and discovered I had enough of points for the support group.Then at the bottom of the assessment,it said I was eligible for the work related activity. This I don't understand, because I failed on the mobility ect and also because I had more than 15 points (84 in total)It then said I was covered by the exceptional circumstances.I though I would have been in the support group, because of the high points I had scored and not in the work related activity.
Thanks


Mod edit - please do not post multiple posts, starting new threads on the same or very similar topics. Any similar postings will be deleted.

pete17971
pp moderating team

Amber wrote:

Hi again,
I have filled in the ESA form here, on this website and I am very confused with my results,so please would someone explain what this means.
I assessed myself and discovered I had enough of points for the support group.Then at the bottom of the assessment,it said I was eligible for the work related activity. This I don't understand, because I failed on the mobility ect and also because I had more than 15 points (84 in total)It then said I was covered by the exceptional circumstances.I though I would have been in the support group, because of the high points I had scored and not in the work related activity.
Thanks


Mod edit - please do not post multiple posts, starting new threads on the same or very similar topics. Any similar postings will be deleted.

pete17971
pp moderating team

Hi,

Whilst we cannot give individual advice, the following may help. The Support Group is not points based.

The points relate to getting into the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG). If one scores 15 or more points, then one is placed into the WRAG.

To get into the Support Group, one must first get into the WRAG by scoring 15 or more points and then over and above that generally meet one of the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity Descriptors which is the key to getting into the Support Group.

These are as stated on page 23 onwards in the guide entitled 'Understanding
Employment and Support Allowance' available from this page:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

The 'exceptional circumstances' rules are another way you can get into either the WRAG or Support Group. To get placed into the WRAG these are explained on Page 23 of the above guide. For the exceptional circumstances for the Support Group these are at page 27 of the above guide.

As you will see, these are very similar. However to note is that in any ESA claim where the claimants believes they are covered by the 'exceptional circumstances' the onus is on the claimant to prove they are covered by the 'exceptional circumstances' rather than the DWP having to prove the claimant isn't. Also it is rather a subjective matter as to whether one gets placed into the WRAG or Support Group on these grounds.

Remember the 'mock test' on this site is only a guide. Whilst it is believed it is as accurate as possible, it is still only a guide and does not replace obtaining face to face advice from a Welfare Rights Agency/CAB etc who can go through your own claim in depth and give you specific advice.

Pete

Thanks Pete.

Hi,I get theses attacks which are horrible sensations in my head, which only last seconds but cause me to lose my balance and sometimes fall.After this happens I get a slight headache and don't feel well.The Neurologist knew what I meant instantly when I explained what was happening,however I do not remember the name he gave to these attacks, except that it was short name,and that he would not rule out M.S.He has now moved Hospitals.
My G.P said, he does not know the name of the attacks I'm having!
Without this information, I can't put in on my ESA form when it arrives.What should I do.
Thanks

Amber wrote:

Hi,I get theses attacks which are horrible sensations in my head, which only last seconds but cause me to lose my balance and sometimes fall.After this happens I get a slight headache and don't feel well.The Neurologist knew what I meant instantly when I explained what was happening,however I do not remember the name he gave to these attacks, except that it was short name,and that he would not rule out M.S.He has now moved Hospitals.
My G.P said, he does not know the name of the attacks I'm having!
Without this information, I can't put in on my ESA form when it arrives.What should I do.
Thanks

Hi A,

Just because you have not received a proper diagnosis of the symptoms that you mention, does not mean that you can't notate it on your ESA50.

It is not any particular medical condition that gives an award of ESA, it is the limitations caused.

It would seem obvious from your comments that the loss of balance that you mention would cause limitations, and risks etc.

Just write it as it is, and how your symptoms limit you with respect to the different questions on the ESA50.

Hope this helps.

bro58

Thanks Bro58,I thought without a specific name to an illness it would be dismissed.I am so worried about this transfer from SDA to ESA.I was thinking of visiting my MP and asking if he would write a letter of support (without dating it) as I have no way of knowing when the dreaded envelope is about to drop through my letterbox!
I know I will fall apart if I have to have a medical.I can't cope with anything stressful and having heard about Atos horror stories fills me with dread.