ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

[di30]

Hi everyone.

I got in touch with the National Autistic Society (NAS) some days ago, as my youngest is turning 20 next week, Child Tax Credits and Child Bens ends just before.
The NAS said as I am his appointee (such like with his DLA) then to claim ESA for him.

Now bear in mind he has been doing Home Education since the age of 13 due to his complex issues at school. However this is non-advanced but basic at 18 to 20 hours per week home tutored to keep on top of his English/Maths etc.
Now NAS said he can still claim for this regardless of what education he does, but the fact its not college based hopefully this will not have any affect on the claim.

This ESA is all new to me but what sort of note do I require from his GP, a sick note or letter to confirm his ASD?

Any help/guidance will be so helpful thank you.

I do still have written evidence of his condition and issues from his Community Paediatrian which did help the rate of DLA my son was awarded - high rate care and low rate mobility.

Thank you x x

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

This below was the letter done by my son's specialist on the DLA renewal, so you think this could be put forward for the ESA claim as one of the evidence as well? There are no changes with my son,as we know Autism is life long and cannot be cured etc... x x


To whom it may concern,
Re: 15.01.1995
ref.







XXXXXX has been attending my Community Paediatric clinic, and at the request of his parents, I am writing to support their application for Higher Rate DLA.
He has also been under the care of Torfaen CAMHS, and has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, which is an Autistic Spectrum disorder.
XXXXXXX continues to have great difficulty with social interaction. He cannot interpret social situations, and feels acutely uncomfortable if he has to meet new people. He cannot cope in a group, not knowing what is expected of him, and because he interprets everything in a literal way is unable to be sure he has understood. The level of anxiety this creates in him is so intense that he panics and has to have the reassuring presence of a familiar adult to help him. Most of the time he will avoid this type of situation altogether, which means he remains very isolated and requires virtually constant supervision.
Although his school made a lot of effort to adapt his class size and provide support for him , he eventually had to leave because he was so anxious that he would go missing from lessons. He has been educated at home with a private tutor.
He is unable to deal with financial affairs, such as benefits, etc., and needs help with letters, filling in forms etc.
When out, he has to be accompanied by one of his parents. He cannot go out alone. He cannot cope with loud or busy environments.
He still requires help with personal care, not because he is unable to do the tasks, but because of sensory sensitivity issues, and poor personal organisation.
His parents have to be constantly re-assuring him, and helping him to calm down. At times he becomes very distressed, and has emotional outbursts which need very sensitive handling.
This is clearly very emotionally draining for his parents.
I definitely support his parents' application for Higher rate DLA, because of the level of support XXXXXX requires from them. Please contact me if you require any further information.
Dr.
Staff Grade Community Paediatrics
Aneurin Bevan Health Board
Paediatric
Hospital
Newport.
N

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

..that's my son's Date of birth above letter lol x

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Hi honey,
I'm sure your son should have no problem getting into the support group, but, as Pompey will tell you it's notoriously tricky. I'm sure he'll be along soon.
I've recently helped my son do his, for his Crohn's disease. First stage is to fill in the ESA1 - this is mainly personal information and circumstances. There's a small box near the start to give brief details of the illness, and a bigger box near the end where you can put more details. Make good use of this.
Once that's gone off he qualifies for basic payment during the assessment phase, which supposedly lasts 13 weeks but can be much longer. About £74 per week.
Then they usually send the ESA50 form which goes into more details about how the condition affects you on a day to day basis. This is more tricky. The scoring system is rubbish. It's over simplified and you need to write notes explaining more about how your son fits into the criteria.
This might be useful: http://www.nawra.org.uk/Documents/Ca...he%20ESA50.pdf

I'm sure PF will have plenty of useful info for you too, as this system is a minefield xxx

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Hi honey,
I'm sure your son should have no problem getting into the support group, but, as Pompey will tell you it's notoriously tricky. I'm sure he'll be along soon.
I've recently helped my son do his, for his Crohn's disease. First stage is to fill in the ESA1 - this is mainly personal information and circumstances. There's a small box near the start to give brief details of the illness, and a bigger box near the end where you can put more details. Make good use of this.
Once that's gone off he qualifies for basic payment during the assessment phase, which supposedly lasts 13 weeks but can be much longer. About £74 per week.
Then they usually send the ESA50 form which goes into more details about how the condition affects you on a day to day basis. This is more tricky. The scoring system is rubbish. It's over simplified and you need to write notes explaining more about how your son fits into the criteria.
This might be useful: http://www.nawra.org.uk/Documents/Ca...he%20ESA50.pdf

I'm sure PF will have plenty of useful info for you too, as this system is a minefield xxx

Excellent, thank you my lovely x x
I hope your son is doing ok x x

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Hi everyone.

I got in touch with the National Autistic Society (NAS) some days ago, as my youngest is turning 20 next week, Child Tax Credits and Child Bens ends just before.
The NAS said as I am his appointee (such like with his DLA) then to claim ESA for him.

Now bear in mind he has been doing Home Education since the age of 13 due to his complex issues at school. However this is non-advanced but basic at 18 to 20 hours per week home tutored to keep on top of his English/Maths etc.
Now NAS said he can still claim for this regardless of what education he does, but the fact its not college based hopefully this will not have any affect on the claim.

This ESA is all new to me but what sort of note do I require from his GP, a sick note or letter to confirm his ASD?

Any help/guidance will be so helpful thank you.

I do still have written evidence of his condition and issues from his Community Paediatrian which did help the rate of DLA my son was awarded - high rate care and low rate mobility.

Thank you x x

Hi Di

Initially you will need a sick note to start the claim then you will need copious amounts of evidence the more the better to get him into Support Group which is slightly higher but also a passport to other help and support

So I would get the sick note first and then seek help in the form filling as it is complicated and thus an advocate who has experience in these matters is a must in my view, whilst doing this you can get all the paperwork and evidence together which can be copied and sent at a later date.

I think you will have more than enough information to avoid an atos assessment and thus should go straight into SG from the assessment phase

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Best advice right now with all the changes etc is get an advocate as early on as possible, does your council have welfare rights officers, I know many don't, is there a charity you can approach? research what help is available in your area

There must be no open holes in your just claim that DWP can exploit

[IF]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Best advice right now with all the changes etc is get an advocate as early on as possible, does your council have welfare rights officers, I know many don't, is there a charity you can approach? research what help is available in your area

There must be no open holes in your just claim that DWP can exploit

Brilliant advice Pompey

I have my fingers crossed for you both Di

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Excellent information and advice thank you very much Pompey,your a star
Yes we have a local organisation or 2 that can help with the forms, so I will get in touch with them first thing on Monday.

Also the National Autistic Society as a welfare help section like if we need to be in touch for help with these forms.

Again thank you very much x x

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

National Autistic Society I these will be best placed as they will know how to word the forms and as you have had help from them before I am sure they will help you so with there help and you knowledge in bringing up an Autistic son am sure you will be fine.

Please pass on my regards to your son

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Also have this leaflet from the National Autistic Society......post 12

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Sorry I don't think I put that link in above correctly, will try to find the main one.

Have also found some interesting info here too.....(if link works) lol

http://www.publications.parliament.u...on/ucm2602.htm

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

I realise there are a lot of pages to complete lol.....lets hope i have enough ink...

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

Yes do a numbered draft that corresponds with the form numbering first Di, then take that with your evidence from medical specialist and the form to an advocate who will get the ball rolling for you.

You will have a better chance of success if you have someone helping you than going it alone, but as above there is much you can do to help.

[di30]

Re: ESA for son with Aspergers/Anxiety disorders

How right is this?
I found this info on FB (ATOS) of a list unsuitable for medical assessment......Aspergers/Autism comes into the list but is it correct?

https://www.facebook.com/ATOSM/posts/593746183987854
ATOS Miracles


29 March 2013 ·




Want to know if you will be called for a medical following recent application. (Remember this will change with the introduction of PIP) Here is a list of illnesses/disabilities and how they judge whether to send you for a medical et during an application for ESA DLA AA applications:
esa dla aa who might need a medical

The medical categories and medical conditions taken from the Contract between the DWP and Atos are listed here.
1. Unsuitable for calling to a Medical Examination Centre.

Age >75 years
Age <12 years

Both Blind and Deaf, Registered Blind (needs to be seen in own environment), Cases accepted under the Special Rules defining Terminal illness, Alzheimers, Amputation of both legs, Asperger's, Autistic Spectrum Disorder / Autism, Cerebral Palsy