friends esa stopped

idvi

hi guys,

my best friend has autism and his esa has been stopped. he was on assessment rate and had a medical, but only scored 9 points.

he has to appeal this and is going to claim assessment rate during the appeal period. how long will it take from starting the appeal until the decision? what does this consist of? will he be going to another medical?

he has aspergers syndrome and is in supported living housing (where carers check up on him etc.). hes on citalopram, gets low rate mobility and mid care dla, blue badge etc. so for them to effectively say there is nothing wrong with him is ridiculous.

to be honest, i reckon he would score at least 6 points on many of the mental/cognitive criterias .

the appeal process has already been started (today)

thanks guys! :j

Sueinbirmingham

Unfortunately, there's a massive backlog, so it can take months.

The appeal isn't a medical, it's a hearing before a panel of three people.

It's worth him getting someone to represent him as it will massively improve his chances of success.

As he has asked for an appeal, his application will be automatically reviewed, so he may get the original decision overturned before it goes to the tribunal.

If it it more than six months from his initial claim when he has his tribunal and he is turned down, he can apply again.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

idvi wrote: »

hi guys,

my best friend has autism and his esa has been stopped. he was on assessment rate and had a medical, but only scored 9 points.

he has to appeal this and is going to claim assessment rate during the appeal period. how long will it take from starting the appeal until the decision? what does this consist of? will he be going to another medical?

he has aspergers syndrome and is in supported living housing (where carers check up on him etc.). hes on citalopram, gets low rate mobility and mid care dla, blue badge etc. so for them to effectively say there is nothing wrong with him is ridiculous.

to be honest, i reckon he would score at least 6 points on many of the mental/cognitive criterias .

the appeal process has already been started (today)

thanks guys! :j

I have asperger's & passed a medical for Incapacity Benefit in 2006 but this is quite worrying news seeing as we will all have to undergo ESA medicals in the near future. :eek:

Good luck to your friend & keep us posted with the appeal.

Hammyman

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I have asperger's & passed a medical for Incapacity Benefit in 2006 but this is quite worrying news seeing as we will all have to undergo ESA medicals in the near future. :eek:

Good luck to your friend & keep us posted with the appeal.

The ESA is based on getting you into some form of work based on your disability.

My brother has Aspergers and has a successful career working in councils doing housing benefit and council tax benefit. Due to the characteristics of the condition, it has actually been of great benefit to him - he can quote chapter and verse on the entire regulations for both benefits which has been of great help to some claimants who've been incorrectly refused.

Aspergers isn't an excuse for not having a job and you'll often find those who've had a very successful career have ASD traits.

Prinzessilein

Hammyman wrote: »

Aspergers isn't an excuse for not having a job.

No, it isn't.But sometimes Aspergers is an honest reason why someone does not have a job.

I have Asperger's. I claim IB and DLA (Lower Rate, both components). My specialist and my GP agree that at the moment I am not even able to look for work.

I used to work. I ran my own depoartment. I wish that I could work again. Any work. Disability was never my choice.

Just because you know someone with Aspergers who is able to work, does not mean that everyone with this condition can work. Asoergers affects different people in different ways.

OP - your friend should get help with the appeal. CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights all can help and will not charge.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Hammyman wrote: »

The ESA is based on getting you into some form of work based on your disability.

My brother has Aspergers and has a successful career working in councils doing housing benefit and council tax benefit. Due to the characteristics of the condition, it has actually been of great benefit to him - he can quote chapter and verse on the entire regulations for both benefits which has been of great help to some claimants who've been incorrectly refused.

Aspergers isn't an excuse for not having a job and you'll often find those who've had a very successful career have ASD traits.

i didn't say it was, infact I worked myself until 2006 when my cancer came back.

The op's friend lives in sheltered housing so obviously isn't even able to live independantly so how on earth is he going to get a job?

I can't leave the house unaccompanied so how am I going to get a job.

There are other factors to take into consideration.

If I hadn't got cancer i'd still be working but I did & now I suffer from depression/anxiety/panic attacks.

Alot of people with asperger's can work but everyone is different & has different problems.

dmg24

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

i didn't say it was, infact I worked myself until 2006 when my cancer came back.

The op's friend lives in sheltered housing so obviously isn't even able to live independantly so how on earth is he going to get a job?

I can't leave the house unaccompanied so how am I going to get a job.

There are other factors to take into consideration.

If I hadn't got cancer i'd still be working but I did & now I suffer from depression/anxiety/panic attacks.

Alot of people with asperger's can work but everyone is different & has different problems.

Let's not make this about you eh?

Many people who live in supported housing work.

idvi, does your friend have a support worker that could help with the appeal? Because the condition has such a wide definition, it would be a big help to have a professional that knows their condition personally.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

dmg24 wrote: »

Let's not make this about you eh?

Many people who live in supported housing work.

idvi, does your friend have a support worker that could help with the appeal? Because the condition has such a wide definition, it would be a big help to have a professional that knows their condition personally.

I am commenting on a post that is relevant to me & to which I have every right despite the fact i'm not as popular as you.

I think you will find that it's you & your friends that try to make anything be about me.

idvi

dmg24 wrote: »

Let's not make this about you eh?

Many people who live in supported housing work.

idvi, does your friend have a support worker that could help with the appeal? Because the condition has such a wide definition, it would be a big help to have a professional that knows their condition personally.

hiya yeah hes in supported housing - on site care/support workers. its a block of 8 self contained flats for people with psych disorders and learning disabilities (and then there is an on site office and someone there 24/7)

so he has a lot of backup because obviously they can coroborate everything - they sort out all of his benefits, paperwork, money etc. because he cant

beth58_2

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I have asperger's & passed a medical for Incapacity Benefit in 2006 but this is quite worrying news seeing as we will all have to undergo ESA medicals in the near future.

Good luck to your friend & keep us posted with the appeal.

Many ppl passed the IB medical assessments in the past including those with nothing wrong with them (I have a friend whose just passed AGAIN and won't be reassessed for 3 year and there's nothing wrong with her).

My condition was exempt from IB medicals however, now with ESA I've just had to have a medical and still awaiting decision.

Good luck to your friend OP, I hope all goes well but do gather as much evidence as you can get and find representation for appeal.

Mojisola

beth58 wrote: »

Many ppl passed the IB medical assessments in the past including those with nothing wrong with them (I have a friend whose just passed AGAIN and won't be reassessed for 3 year and there's nothing wrong with her).

This can only happen if she lies and no system will completely eliminate the cheats. If you know for sure she has nothing wrong with her, report her.