DLA evidence at Reconsider Placed in Support Group

pjd wrote:

Hi Bro58

Thanks for your advice, and Ill try to take it all your good advice on board.

I think the difficulty I have the most is that the majority of the descriptors apply to me, but Im unsure of how to describe my day, other than saying I am permanently in a weakened and pained state on a daily basis, and am housebound.

I often need support throughout the day with my mobility and care. But at times when my symptoms have eased a little then I am able to do it a little for myself, I have to use whatever is around me to support myself, and I can only last a few seconds/minutes before stopping and having to rest. My hands become pained/weak and suffer paralysis on and off through the day as well and affect my ability to hold/grip anything so I often need help with that too. But again, when I am able to do it for myself it is only for a very short time before the deterioration begins. Unfortunately, there is no typical 24hr period, as some days I am completely bedridden and can do nothing, and other days it is as above.

Is the above any good as a description as everything just sound like rambling to me.

Hi pjd,

As you will understand I cannot advise on what you should or shouldn't write in your ESA50.

However, try not to generalise, tie in your limitations to each section of the ESA50 where applicable, even if this means repeating yourself, don't be afraid of stating what may seem the obvious to you.

To be classed as being able to carry out a "task" you must be able to do so for the majority of time, repeatedly, reliably and safely, with resonable regularity.

As I have already advised it helps to go through each section one at a time referring to the equivalaent section of our ESA Claims Guides at the same time.

Fluctuating conditions are also covered within the guides.

Cheers

bro58

Hi Bro58,

Thanks once again for your advice. It does help me despite my struggle. I understand you cannot advise on what I should or shouldnt write, but I wish there was a place where you could post what I write before I put it on the esa form, and be told whether it is descriptive enough, because as you can see I have a tendency to generalise when writing things down.

Oh well, I'll just have the best I can, so thanks anyway.

pjd wrote:

Hi Bro58,

Thanks once again for your advice. It does help me despite my struggle. I understand you cannot advise on what I should or shouldnt write, but I wish there was a place where you could post what I write before I put it on the esa form, and be told whether it is descriptive enough, because as you can see I have a tendency to generalise when writing things down.

Oh well, I'll just have the best I can, so thanks anyway.

Hi phd,

If you were really struggling with your ESA50, your only other alternative would be to seek face to face professional advice, however I understand that this is becoming harder to obtain, due to all the funding cuts, see :

Where to get advice?

bro58

Our local CAB office will let you take the form along for someone to look at briefly before it is submitted. This can be done at a 'drop in' session without an appointment (although I suspect you might not actually get an expert in benefits this way). I wonder if yours might do the same?

Well done.

My transfer from IB to ESA has yet to come but some very interesting information there as I get HRM and MRC for D.L.A. and have done for 15 years.


Once again,congratulations.

Thanks everyone,

I will probably ask the CAB to look at my form before I send it, if I can. Unfortunately it does not always work, as I have previously done this before, and was told that with my all conditions that I would have no problems getting the benefit. It didnt turn out that way and I had to go to appeal. All anyone can do in the end is just hope for the best.(either that or I go for the brain transplant

p.s. has the 'posting times' been changed now as I thought it was between 8-10pm only.