Help Please

hazeysky

In September the doctor issued me with a sick note for 3 months for neuralgia and a pain in my hip, as I was unemployed I took it to the job centre, who told me I had to sign off JSA and apply for ESA ,which I did,
I then had a phone call asking me to attend a medical exam on 24th October,
Just over a week later I received a letter from the job centre to say I was fit for work
They gave me points for only being able to walk 200 metres and for not being able to stand or sit for more than 30 minutes.
They have completely ignored my neuralgia and the pain caused by it.
They have only taken into account the form I returned and the medical assessment I had,
There was no contact with my doctor or the person I am under at the dental hospital.
I have decided to appeal against the result and visited the job centre with the letter and the sick note I was given yesterday.
I was told I can appeal but they will reduce my weekly money by 60% as I was only on 65.00 that would be reduced to £26 per week while the appeal is in progress. But she said I could of course sign back on the dole and receive the normal payment.
Has this happened to anyone else? Who can I get help from with the appeal? How should I proceed?
Any advice would be helpful. Sorry if it's a bit long winded

dmg24

Have a look at the ESA descriptors. Does your condition meet any of the criteria?

hazeysky

Thank you
It was very helpful, there isn't anything on my council site like this.

Tehya

hazeysky wrote: »

I have decided to appeal against the result and visited the job centre with the letter and the sick note I was given yesterday.
But she said I could of course sign back on the dole and receive the normal payment.
Has this happened to anyone else? Who can I get help from with the appeal? How should I proceed?
Any advice would be helpful. Sorry if it's a bit long winded

Hiya good luck with the appeal. I'm a bit confused about the information you were given though.

"I was told I can appeal but they will reduce my weekly money by 60% as I was only on 65.00 that would be reduced to £26 per week while the appeal is in progress."

I'm not sure that is correct. i'm under the impression that you should recieve the assessment rate of ESA during the appeal time which is £65ish a week unless you're under 25 which it would then be about £50 a week.

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will come along soon with a lot more advice for you.