Re: voluntary work and transferring on to ESA

Hi Angelcake.I too was due my review over 12 months ago and have just received it a couple of weeks ago which makes it almost two years dipite them saying it would be reviewed after 12 months.
Sorry to say you can bet it will arrive, they will not have forgot about you.Regards the voluntary work. This can in some instancese the final nail in tha coffin, and may be viewed that you are able to do some work, and would be an ideal person to but in the WRAG group.

I would personally what until your claim is delt with.

The interesting thing is although i had been registered with this site for over a year i had not joined until i received my IB50.What a big mistake! with all the info and gathering of evidence i should have done this 12 months ago,so iam spending hundreds of hours readind the site and really stressing out.

So instead of doing voluntary work you may wish to spend any such hours preparing for the innevitable ie: GP notes from your files, hospital records etc and read read read all the info on this site.(no second chance to make a first impression)
Best wishes
mikeb

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your post, as for being the final nail in tha coffin, and may be viewed that you are able to do some work, and would be an ideal person to but in the WRAG group (this does really concern me) - do you know of people this has happened to?

I have been seriously considering waiting until after my assessment but I would still fear it triggering another assessment, as they could use it as new information that my condition has improved.

As regards to using the site, just try and concentrate on the most relevant things to you i.e stuff about the ESA 50 and slowly work through your form using the guide to help you. If you break it down into smaller sections or just do an hour at a time etc. then it might seem less overwhelming.

If poss get an appointment with any healthcare professionals who are involved ASAP, so you have time to get evidence from them to provide with your ESA50 and discuss how your condition affects you in detail, so they are up to date and can help you best.

Good Luck

Angelcake

Hi again Angelcake.Sorry for just getting back to you, but health permitting.
Iam not sure were i read about doing voluntary work prior to ESA award but if you were in ATOS shoes, if a claiment is doing such work,subject to how many hours you were doing.and the usually strick set hours the voluntary sector require ie:the said day or days or hours then you have more or less told ATOS that you can commit to those said dats/house in paid work.

That's how i would see it, but mayby such things would come under certain rules.
I personnaly would wait until you know for certain via this site or has i said in my previous mail just wait until your ESA is telt with.

Best wishes

mikeyb

See further information on Permitted Work, from Disability Rights UK :

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/f35.htm

bro58

Hi Mikeyb,

I know what you mean, it doesn't sound like anyone could be certain of the outcome until you go through the process that is the problem. I might wait till after the assessment like you said.

Thanks

Angelcake

Hi Bro,

Thanks for the link it is very informative and lots of other links too.

I've had a look and there is a link from the DWP and volunteering but the information on there creates the impression that you can volunteer and stay on your benefit full stop. Whereas, in reality there could be real problems as have been discussed so far on this post, but there is no mention of any of the pitfalls there which is potentially misleading.

Personally, I think that if you qualify for a benefit and want to do some voluntary work then it should'nt be used against you under any circumstances due to the low commitment required from the type of work in this context. I also think it should be encouraged and people should have the reassurance that it is ok to do this, without the unwritten threat of being penalised, as who knows it may help people get off benefit later down the line or at least help to improve a persons well-being. The problem is there is no guidelines regarding the issues people could be facing if they decide to volunteer and there is too much uncertainty and grey areas.


Thanks
Angelcake