Yet another ESA complaint!

reddev

Hi people. Since 2003 I have been suffering from a kidney disorder known as Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome. Bit of a mouthful, and it's not a common disorder for people my age so I wouldn't be surprised if no one here had ever heard of it before. Since I was diagnosed, I have been taking Prednisolone steroids. When the condition was dormant, I was trying to hold down a job, but recently my consultant decided to try me on a course of Cyclophosphamide (cemotherapy). Thats put work out of the question.

My condition at the moment is again dormant. However now I'm left with the side effects of long-term steroid treatment (Bone softening, muscle cramps, sleeplessness, joint pain, headaches, thirst, blurred vision). I am not in a position to work until these side effects subside, even part-time.

I have been receiving ESA since April 2009. Only just had my medical in December, 8 MONTHS after claiming. Anyway I got the letter yesterday telling me I had failed the medical. I got 6 points in total and all for the same section (seeing). Everything else was 0, which is complete nonsense. I intend to appeal this decision and I have support from my local MP and my GP.

I didn't record the medical, but I did ask for a copy of the report, which I received today and it is not even close to correct. Lots of details are missing and it's almost as if it is someone else's report.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if theres any advice out there to increase my chances of winning the appeal. I know theres a lot of people that fail the medical but appeal and win. I noticed on the GL24 form that theres a choice of an Oral hearing, or a paper one. Does the oral hearing increase the chances of winning? I don't intend to use the form, just got one as a template for a letter.

Any advice on the appeals process would be appreciated.

davethorp

In exact same boat as you. Claimed in July. Medical December. Failure letter today (6 points also... I have anxiety/depression). 6 points for sometimes not going out on my own when doctor was expressly told I would never usually go out on my own due to anxiety so should be 15 points from that descriptor alone). I recorded my medical so have a bit of evidence to fall back on.

You need to fill out an appeal form HERE and send it off. I did note that my ESA letter made no reference to the appeals process but thankfully been here before. It seems I'm too ill to be on JSA as my disability advisor basically told me to come off JSA and claim ESA as I wasn't fit for work but I'm not ill enough to be on ESA. Madness

healy

reddev wrote: »

Hi people. Since 2003 I have been suffering from a kidney disorder known as Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome. Bit of a mouthful, and it's not a common disorder for people my age so I wouldn't be surprised if no one here had ever heard of it before. Since I was diagnosed, I have been taking Prednisolone steroids. When the condition was dormant, I was trying to hold down a job, but recently my consultant decided to try me on a course of Cyclophosphamide (cemotherapy). Thats put work out of the question.

My condition at the moment is again dormant. However now I'm left with the side effects of long-term steroid treatment (Bone softening, muscle cramps, sleeplessness, joint pain, headaches, thirst, blurred vision). I am not in a position to work until these side effects subside, even part-time.

I have been receiving ESA since April 2009. Only just had my medical in December, 8 MONTHS after claiming. Anyway I got the letter yesterday telling me I had failed the medical. I got 6 points in total and all for the same section (seeing). Everything else was 0, which is complete nonsense. I intend to appeal this decision and I have support from my local MP and my GP.

I didn't record the medical, but I did ask for a copy of the report, which I received today and it is not even close to correct. Lots of details are missing and it's almost as if it is someone else's report.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if theres any advice out there to increase my chances of winning the appeal. I know theres a lot of people that fail the medical but appeal and win. I noticed on the GL24 form that theres a choice of an Oral hearing, or a paper one. Does the oral hearing increase the chances of winning? I don't intend to use the form, just got one as a template for a letter.

Any advice on the appeals process would be appreciated.

Yes you have a much better chance of winning your appeal if you attend in person.

The other main way to help with an appeal is to have the help of a welfare rights officer. These can be found at the CAB, Local Council and disability organisations like DIAL.

klndesigns

I know only too well what long term steroid use can do to you. I had a kidney transplant in april 2000 and i have been taking prednisolone steroid for nearly 10 years now. Although i worked after my operation as well as bring up my son who was 7 years old at the time i had to give up work in 2008 because i fell down the stairs and damaged my back. I suffer severe back pain constantly including through the night, i cannot walk any where on my own because i have a tendancy to fall over at times. I also have a stomach problem due to long term medicines i take and have done since operation but i was scored zero in my medical and i have now appealed against there decision. It is now just a waiting game to see how long it takes for the appeal to come through. I get told at every turn that i need to lose weight and that it is my weight that is causing the problem when in actual fact i eat properly and i try and do as much exercise as i can manage but i cant do much without my legs giving way and my back hurting more and more. I was told that it is not the steroids that make you put on weight but its the over eating that a person does is the cuase. I cant wait to see what the out come will be because if i dont win then i will be going further if i can because being told that you are capable of doing some thing that you clearly cant is just a complete joke.