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Can I get ESA for Depression and severe anxiety?

Hi All,

I have been off work now for a while now and have used up my SSP payments. But I'm such a bad way and have not gone back to the doctors to tell that my illness is getting worse. Anyway can I get some sort of help money wise? I'm too unwell to work and had to be let go of work last week.

Can I get any help at all? Thank you all in advance.
I'm Yankee Candle MAAAAAAAAD! :j x

Comments

  • its a mental illness so i dont see why not. hope you get better soon but it wont go away on its own. you will need to work on it.
  • sangie595
    sangie595 Posts: 6,092 Forumite
    EmmaAbby wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I have been off work now for a while now and have used up my SSP payments. But I'm such a bad way and have not gone back to the doctors to tell that my illness is getting worse. Anyway can I get some sort of help money wise? I'm too unwell to work and had to be let go of work last week.

    Can I get any help at all? Thank you all in advance.

    I'm confused. It would appear that you have been off work for a year now? So you ran out of SSP a long time ago. And if you have not been back to the doctor, then how do you have a fit note? You can't claim sickness benefits without a fit note from the GP. And how have you been providing one to your employer if you haven't been to the doctor?

    ESA is a means tested benefit if you don't have enough contributions. If you are living with your boyfriend then his income will be counted.
  • You're entitled to apply for ESA EmmaAbby, but there's no guarantee you will get it. You have to have your flippin' head hanging off to get ESA! :eek:

    Especially when it comes to mental illness. When it's something you can't visibly see, they don't always believe you.

    So if you want to apply, get some strong evidence of your condition from your doctor, and any specialists you have dealt with, and a list of all the meds you take for it.

    Good luck.
    Proud to have lost over 3 stone (45 pounds,) in the past year! :j Now a size 14!


    You're not singing anymore........ You're not singing any-more! :D
  • missbiggles1
    missbiggles1 Posts: 17,481
    First Post Combo Breaker
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    Why wouldn't you go back to your doctor if you're feeling worse? There are lots of medications around that can help you.
  • I suppose it's because I'm scared to be honest? I'm on fluoxetine and it's up and down on me. 20mg at mo so...

    I won't get ESA they will just judge me from the outside...
    I'm Yankee Candle MAAAAAAAAD! :j x
  • My son got ESA with ASD.., I was quite surprised, he didn't even have to go for an assessment. Its not depression but his worse 'symptoms' that make working impossible right now are anxiety related.

    Get some help writing the form., like the CAB. It would be better if you saw the GP or had some mental health help. I am sure your employer could make a statement too. But get some help both with the form and your condition.

    If you have no income now.., what have you got to lose?
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 16,363
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    A majority of ESA claims are for stress, anxiety or depression so those who are trying to tell the OP that you won't get it because it's either not a visible illness or that mental illness is ignored are totally wrong. They are also doing the OP a great disservice at a time when they need clarity.
    If the GP will issue a medical certificate (fit note) to say that the patient is unfit for work then they can claim ESA. Assuming the OP is single, the only exceptions to that would be if they were in receipt of SSP, or some other benefits, or are in receipt of a largish pension. There is absolutely no question about that. The 'information' provided by CorrieCooper above is wrong from start to finish.
    The OP will need to see their GP to obtain the medical certificate and then contact ESA to make the claim. That is all there is to making the claim.
  • IAmWales
    IAmWales Posts: 2,024 Forumite
    This thread is a year old! Looks like Corrie posted on it to spam.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 16,363
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Forumite
    IAmWales wrote: »
    This thread is a year old! Looks like Corrie posted on it to spam.

    I didn't notice the gap in dates. Thanks for that, although some of the previous advice had been less than accurate.,
This discussion has been closed.
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