ESA & Epileptic Seizures

A contact has been notified by phone and letter of transfer from IB to ESA. He expects to receive a ESA50 in a few days. My contact's only health problem is epilepsy that is not fully controlled by his medication. His mental health is not affected. He does not lose consciousness but is almost helpless and requires his partner to give him medication. He does not experience incontinence during a seizure.

There is no pattern to the frequency of my contact’s epileptic seizures. He might experience up to three in a day or a fortnight might pass between one seizure and the next. Would this be considered a “significant risk”…enough for him to get ESA? He cannot drive because of his condition. Would this bring in any points on grounds of mobility and getting about safely?

MariW wrote: A contact has been notified by phone and letter of transfer from IB to ESA. He expects to receive a ESA50 in a few days. My contact's only health problem is epilepsy that is not fully controlled by his medication. His mental health is not affected. He does not lose consciousness but is almost helpless and requires his partner to give him medication. He does not experience incontinence during a seizure.

There is no pattern to the frequency of my contact’s epileptic seizures. He might experience up to three in a day or a fortnight might pass between one seizure and the next. Would this be considered a “significant risk”…enough for him to get ESA? He cannot drive because of his condition. Would this bring in any points on grounds of mobility and getting about safely?

Hi MW,

There is no absolute definition of what "Substantial Risk" is.

It is covered at 42188 of the : DM Guide Volume 8 Chapter 42.

The repeatedly, reliably and safely factor may be relevant here, as well.

See this thread :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=top...id=10&id=96059#96059

With moving around, risk may be involved, and it should be considered whether the claimant can "Mobilise Unaided", without someone accompanying them to the negate the risk factor for the majority of the time.

bro58

Thanks Bro58,

I'll read that section of the DM Guide and re-read the mobility and getting around descriptors with my contact and his partner in mind. Cheers