Mobilising using a wheel chair?

Hi

I have just been informed that My ESA claim is not being awarded. The main reason given over the phone was that I could mobilise the required distance in a wheel chair. However I do not use one so to me this seems rather irrelevant. I am going to appeal as this seems nonsense to me.

Does anyone have any experience or advice they can offer regarding this? Do I have a case to appeal or are they right?

Thank you
Adz

In order to meet the 'mobilising' descriptor you will have to prove that you would be unable to manually propell a wheelchair or that it would not be reasonable to use one in your condition.

Edit - you might find this helpful -

Aids and appliances

Adzilini wrote:

Hi

I have just been informed that My ESA claim is not being awarded. The main reason given over the phone was that I could mobilise the required distance in a wheel chair. However I do not use one so to me this seems rather irrelevant. I am going to appeal as this seems nonsense to me.

Does anyone have any experience or advice they can offer regarding this? Do I have a case to appeal or are they right?

Thank you
Adz

Hi A,

As well as MHB's helpful link, the issue of the "Imaginary Wheelchair" is covered in :

Employment and Support Allowance claims on physical health grounds: a guide to the work capability assessment. Updated July 2012
This is a fully comprehensive guide to the assessment procedure for the work-related activity group and the support group on physical grounds. (70 pages)

Page 29 onwards, it is the 3rd link down this page :


ESA Guides

bro58

Thanks bro, I am still not entirely familiar with where things are to be found in the guides.

Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

Thanks bro, I am still not entirely familiar with where things are to be found in the guides.

You're welcome MHB.

bro58

Thank you for the prompt response's. That was I thought it good to have it confirmed.

I was awarded points for the sitting and standing part. I think it was 9. So this means (I think) that the DWP agree that I can sit/stand for 30 mins or less.

So if this is the case does this not contradict me using a wheel chair? Or do they assume that getting to places in a chair will always take less than 30 mins?

I am going to go to my GP and see if she will write a letter saying that using a wheel chair would be bad for me as would lead to further muscle loss in my legs. I have been told this by my physio and GP. I am just looking for other angles to use in my appeal hence the above question.

Thank you

Adz