ESA inquiry

[mattydavies]

not really sure what im on.

brief outline of my situation.

i was medically discharged from the army, i damaged my knee and while army docs started surgery on my knee a anesthetist decided to give me a epidural injection which damaged my disc resulting by the army getting around to it a collapse of the spine, due to wasted time the disc wasted away the spine narrowed and curved, i had to have major surgery on my spine to fit a Wallace stabilization which did not help and the surgeon said there is nothing more he can do because of % rate of success.

my life was turned upside down i was army barmy very fit played Rugby for the army, from being bread winner to being in the gutter,at the time i had a PPW for protection and many times contemplated turning it on myself, only thing that keeps me going is my family, everyday i get up and think is it worth it.

i cannot sit in a chair upright as the weight on the base spine compresses and pain i cannot stand for to long as same symptoms, only comfort i get is a recliner or bed, im being treated for depression anxiety attacks sleeping disorder and back and legs, i am a virtual recluse i have not been to a shop pub or anything outside the house for years, if i have to goto the doctors i sweat and do-not breath properly until im back through the door,i do not mix i find it hard to have conversation with people as im always in a dark place and pain makes me bad tempered to be around.

i had the examination and letter followed is roughly says:

we will pay ESA this will replace your IC on the grounds of illness or disability or sever disablement allowance.

you have been placed on work-related activity group, this means that you have to take part in work-focused interviews.

i went into the examination prepared as i had heard so many bad stories about it, the examination was nothing like the questions i was expecting tbh, i brought in a carer to take notes and also she recorded the whole session.

i want to work but i know it is virtually impossible i cannot even look after myself i get bed ridden for weeks i suffer every day with depression cannot stand to long or sit also i hate talking to others this is depression and embarrassment at being a benefits claimer.

my question is should i appeal or just be thankful that im at-least getting something. amount.

sorry i ramble on and probably not understandably, i apologise.

regards Matty

[Pixie]

Re: ESA inquiry

No need to apologise Matty or be embarrassed at being a benefits claimant (I was one until very recently, JSA not ESA)

I was both saddened and annoyed to read your story...I'm not surprised you suffer from depression.

There are quite a lot of members here with health problems and experience of ESA who may be able to help.

[mattydavies]

Re: ESA inquiry

thanks Pixie,

because i also suffer from rare condition "arachnoiditis" i cannot carry anything dangerous like boiling water and so on because a cough or a movement can make my sudden shocks from my spine to collapse, i have had several MRI Scans i also when i tried to fight went and traveled from northern ireland to exeter and bradford to see top doctors(professors)off my own back and expense to hopefully get a fix but they agreed with a local specialist that it is arachnoiditis and i manage to find a private hospital on mainland to do a Wallace stabilization operation and unfortunately it did not work and everything went downhill from there.

so it is not like i never tried to get myself healthy again.

regards Matty

[PriorityOne]

Re: ESA inquiry

Have you made a claim for Disability Living Allowance? If not, then I suggest you do....

[philnicandamy]

Re: ESA inquiry

Hmm good old Atos strike again.....been on the old incapacity & transferred to ESA last year matty I had letters from consultants Gp you name it, I have various issues like yourself including severe depression of which they should have took notice of...the medicals are indeed a joke i've been granted EAS myself but only 2yrs hmm like my condition is going to improve!

I would say you must appeal against this stupid desicion.....if it's ok by you i've Pm'ed a few people with more experience & hopefully they'll help best they can

dont worry...you have done zero wrong and this can be sorted!

[PriorityOne]

Re: ESA inquiry

Take a look here:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - GOV.UK

Scroll down and you'll find a phone number to get a claim pack sent out to you. :-)

[philnicandamy]

Re: ESA inquiry

Thanks P1 i'd forgotten all about DLA d'oh!

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ESA inquiry

Greetings Matty,

I got a message from Philnicandamy to go to this thread and offer assisstance.

I am in a similar position as you having been transfered to ESA WRAG Group without an assessment so am in the process of appealing.

The WCA ASSESSMENT is not fit for purpose and many are falling through the net who quiet clearly should not be, please do not feel guilty about claiming benefits as you have done your time for this nation and have paid into the system with tax and NI which is an insurance to protect you in times like this you are also still a taxpayer even if you are not working and to say you are not is just not true as there is VAT FUEL DUTY and many more stealth taxes that we all pay.

Now going by what you have said you are in no fit state to work and further more your conditions are long term with no hope of getting better indeed that is that your medical professionals have said who are in a better position to make judgement that some ATOS assessor who based there judgement in a 45 min assessment using a computer based tick box form.

Not sure when you got the ESA award letter but you have one month from that letters date to submit your appeal it is a very easy process to fill in the GL24 Appeal Form so get that done and sent off first.

Next you need to get representation this can be a family member, carer, someone in the medical profession, an advocate, someone from a charity or a solicitor anyone who can back you up. Appeals are taking upto 12 mths to be heard due to the backlog but please do not let this put you off as that is what the DWP want and they must not let off.

Next you need all the medical evidence you can get from hospitals and your GP so approach them for this and also sent a subject access request to the DWP there is no charge for this as it is a Government department they should supply every thing they have on you including information from third parties indeed this is very useful for your appeal.

Now you can get the DLA form fill using the info you have and send off.

Once you have digested this lot I will be back with info on filling out the GL24 Appeal Form etc

Regards

[PriorityOne]

Re: ESA inquiry

Also, please come back on here for guidance when you get the DLA claim pack, as it's a long-winded form and you need to answer questions in a specific way.

It's a complete pain in the arse type of form but well worth doing. I recently helped someone to complete one and she's just been awarded middle care and high mobility, which will make a huge difference to her life.

[mattydavies]

Re: ESA inquiry

big thankyou for the response on this thread much appreciated.

i was actually was injured while doing my duty in the army which gave the army doctors a chance with there scalpels to muck around my body.

army gave me a war pension and army pension which i actually got tax free because its was attributed to them, i already get war pension at 65% dla and Lowered Standard of Occupation.

i actually was talking to a friend who actually just been medically discharge because he got shot in the leg and muscle problems, anyway he said to me he never went near the local benefits office and got a form for Unemployability Supplement from war pensions.

i rang war pensions up today and said yes i can apply as my percentage is above 60% but i will lose my Lowered Standard of Occupation but should work all ok.

above looks all good but because my condition is getting worse she had to give up work and now gets care allowance for me of £55 and not claiming any other benefits, it's been hard on her from a wage packet to peanuts but it apparently there is a part for allowance for dependents if i fill out the Unemployability Supplement form.

would it be wise just to go in the Unemployability Supplement direction and basically cutting all ties with northern ireland benefits office system.

thanks matty.