ESA and epilepsy

kanari

Hi,

I have recieved a letter from the job center about the change of benefits to ESA , and that I have to fill a form and maybe go for medical assessment.

I suffer from recurent epilepsy and have seizures everyday

Does anyone know the ESA points system for epilepsy?

I get DLA low mobility and middle care and income support

thank you

rogerblack

kanari wrote: »

Hi,

I have recieved a letter from the job center about the change of benefits to ESA , and that I have to fill a form and maybe go for medical assessment.

I suffer from recurent epilepsy and have seizures everyday

Does anyone know the ESA points system for epilepsy?

I get DLA low mobility and middle care and income support

thank you

See http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf - as they amend http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch42.pdf.
ESA has two groups of people, the support group - these are not supposed to be able to work in the near term, and the work-related group - who - in theory will benefit from being in contact with the world of work.
In reality it's just can you pass two tests.

Page 9 of the first - 10a.
'At least once a week has an episode of lost or altered conciousness resulting in severely disrupted awareness and concentration' 15 points.
(this will qualify you for the 'work related activity group' on its own.)

The support group descriptors aren't quite as simple.
14 'appropriatenes of behaviour due to cognitive impairment or a mental disorder' 'has on a daily basis uncontrollable episodes of agressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in a workplace'

This might apply if epilepsy is considered a mental disorder.
Unfortunately simple phrases don't always say what they mean - I think in this instance what is and isn't a mental disorder will have case-law round it defining it - and most forms of fitting may not be considered 'disinhibited behaviour'.
The 'social engagement' descriptor may also apply - but same caveats.

And now to the fun parts!
Descriptor 8 - continence - Do you at least once a week experience the need to change clothes after having an 'accident'. If so, you qualify for the support group.

If you can provide medical evidence that any of these things happens to you - and send it along with the ESA50 form - then you should not usually need to have a medical.
Highlight that these are the issues that you're claiming due to on a covering letter.

MrsManda

The points are not specifically for epilepsy but one of the Work Capability Assessment descriptors asks about consciousness during waking hours.
The descriptor below gets 15 points which I think is the minimum you need to get in order to receive ESA.

a) At least once a week, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf

kanari

thank you so much for your replies and links

after reading the descriptors these apply to me

At least once a week experiences:

(a) loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder; or
(b) substantial leakage of the contents of a collecting device sufficient to require the individual to clean themselves and change clothing.

At least once a week, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered

consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration.

I have an appointement with my neurology consultant Tuesday , should I ask him for a report or a letter about my condition

kanari

rogerblack wrote: »

And now to the fun parts!
Descriptor 8 - continence - Do you at least once a week experience the need to change clothes after having an 'accident'. If so, you qualify for the support group.

If you can provide medical evidence that any of these things happens to you - and send it along with the ESA50 form - then you should not usually need to have a medical.
Highlight that these are the issues that you're claiming due to on a covering letter.

yes this happen to me :embarasse

do they accept the evidence letter form my GP ?

justaquestion

Hi,

Hope Its ok to post this as I don't want to hijack the thread or anything, but as regards Descriptor 8 - continence - Do you at least once a week experience the need to change clothes after having an 'accident'. If so, you qualify for the support group.

question Woould this descriptor apply to someone who suffers from "after dribble" after doing a pee and has to chnage jeans often as a result but does nto use a collecting device?

thanks
justin

rogerblack

justaquestion wrote: »

Hi,

Hope Its ok to post this as I don't want to hijack the thread or anything, but as regards Descriptor 8 - continence - Do you at least once a week experience the need to change clothes after having an 'accident'. If so, you qualify for the support group.

question Woould this descriptor apply to someone who suffers from "after dribble" after doing a pee and has to chnage jeans often as a result but does nto use a collecting device?

thanks
justin

Seems debatable - it specifically says 'voiding' the bladder, which means a pretty complete emptying. It's certainly arguable though.

gingerandrubarb

Hi,
You need 15 point to qualify. Although you should get the 15 points i just wanted to be straight to the point and tell you that you prob won't and if they can give you 0 points they will do. I've just had a huge appeal with them in which i won. The assesor will seem nice but they never work as they should do.

For example
They ask how far you can walk without help and with mobility aids. If i was you i would say tell them you could only go ___ far from your house in fear of having a fit or that your epilepsy causes migraines or dizzyness making it difficult for you to walk any distance (my cousin had this and she has epilepsy, sorry if you don't hunny its just a pressumption)

They also ask about mental health, if you can chop vegetables and lift pots. Touch your toes and head etc..
Because (i'm pressuming again) you maybe able to walk, chop vegetables, speak, hear and listen without any pain or discomfort or incontinence etc.. they will probably give you 0 points. They are crafty like that. :mad:

If you need any help with filling in your forms, the assesment and medical assesment tips, appeals etc, please feel free to PM me. I have literally just had my appeal go in my favour on Friday past.

I can't really leave the house, my mobility is very poor and when i went to the assesment (with 2 walking sticks and my OH) I had to stop and start 6 times before getting in. Then i had to be helped into the room and when i sat down i blacked out. I struggled to touch my head and couldn't touch my toes, i was crying in pain from the physical and retching from pain and i am on 19 tablets per day for my conditions. I still got 0 points! :eek:

If you can get your doctor or/and consultants to write you letters (normally free if you tell them what it's for)

Also on seperate pieces of paper write down a 'diary' of your last 2 days.

E.G
What you done, times you got up and if anything was a struggle (including speaking, eating, clothing, writing, going from room to room, remembering things, missing out on things such as shopping, family occassions etc.. because you couldn't manage)

Write who helped you and at what times (or for how long, even if it's 1 minute it all adds up) Write what meds your on etc...

If you send this diary and your letters and a HUGE :rotfl::rotfl: list of your symptoms and how they affect you and NHS Direct (or other sites) print outs of your conditions (just cause some of them are dummies and don't know what Google is or what a condition is :rotfl:) Plus get guidance on your application form (they trick you in certain questions) you will be fine xx

kanari

thank you soooooooo much gingerandrubarb for the reply and your advices

I will try to get letters from my GP and consultant , and do the diary

kanari

Hi,

To let u know I just recieved the decision letter , I have been placed on the support group directly without a medical assessment :j
Thanks God Im happy now such a relief !!!
Hope for those waiting for a decision to get good news soon aswell

rogerblack

kanari wrote: »

Hi,

To let u know I just recieved the decision letter , I have been placed on the support group directly without a medical assessment :j
Thanks God Im happy now such a relief !!!
Hope for those waiting for a decision to get good news soon aswell

Congratulations!
Sent my ESA50 off, and am awaiting to be called for the medical.