ESA decision making process is an DISGRACE.

Cpt.Scarlet

outtawork wrote: »

I recieve ESA at present.I am expecting a medical soon, I have obstructive sleep apnoea and have a CPAP machine to use at night plus Rhumatoid arthuritus in my right knee, 3 operations in the same knee, but not going to get any better. What are the chances of being failing the medical.

It's not the diagnosis that matters but how well do you meet the ESA criteria. Do you think you score the 15 points you require?

doyouwantfrieswiththat

outtawork wrote: »

I recieve ESA at present.I am expecting a medical soon, I have obstructive sleep apnoea and have a CPAP machine to use at night plus Rhumatoid arthuritus in my right knee, 3 operations in the same knee, but not going to get any better. What are the chances of being failing the medical.

In the eyes of the DWP, something so small like that wouldn't stop you working!

eskimo26

outtawork wrote: »

I recieve ESA at present.I am expecting a medical soon, I have obstructive sleep apnoea and have a CPAP machine to use at night plus Rhumatoid arthuritus in my right knee, 3 operations in the same knee, but not going to get any better. What are the chances of being failing the medical.

Wait how do you know? I to thought i would not get better but after my ATOS medical it transpires that their computer programme has worked out, after over 10 years of illness since the age of 14, I will be well enough for work in 2 months...

I can't wait! Pls don't give up hope, see what their LIMA programme says. I would never have believed if they hadn't told me, only 2 months to a new me! :T

In the mean time however get much evidence as you can and send it in to the DWP decision maker, also make yourself familiar with the ESA system. As was previous mentioned you need to look up 'ESA descriptors' (the new ones). I sorted my evidence to indicate which descriptor it refered too in case the decision maker was pushed for time or couldn't be arsed, but that probably not necessary.

mum2one

hope you managed to get sorted out, I've been transferred to esa from being on Income supprt as lone parent, have sent sick note in, just waiting to hear from them,,, not looking forward to that! x

FTW

doyouwantfrieswiththat wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys! while we are appealing does my dad get his ESA?

He'll get basic rate ESA. If he wins the appeal, it'll be back-dated.

doyouwantfrieswiththat

It just really gets me that a EXPERIENCED GP Tells my dad he is ILL and not fit for work, yet an idiot behind a desk 'descision maker' has the authority to say he is, and their word is gospel!

tooldle

Whilst I understand your frustration, it is not appropriate to refer to people as 'idiots'. After all, plenty of experienced GP's sign sick notes for patients, only to later see them exposed in the press for fraud. Best to focus on the criteria, and use evidence from the GP to demonstrate how your father meets the criteria.
Capability varies hugely from person to person. I speak as someone who has a progressive lung disease. I too suffer from fatigue and concentration difficulties (symptom of the illness). I work, holding down a high level job. That said, I have met many others at clinic, with the same disease, who feel defeated by it, and unable to work.
Should we all be deemed capable of work, or all incapable of work on our diagnosis alone?

GobbledyGook

It seems a mad system.

A woman I know has just lost her DLA and is having to appeal. She has Narcolepsy and it's totally uncontrolled atm. She's had 4 broken limbs in the past couple of years as well as a really nasty burn from trying to cook. Her 2 children have had to go and stay with their Dad as it didn't seem safe for them to be with her while she is so bad. She can't go out alone, bath alone, cook a hot meal alone - Yet when she renewed DLA she went from Mid Care and Low Mobility to nothing. On the letter it states that she is in no danger from fits or blackouts??

The really bad thing, imo, is she works from home and although she can only manage part time hours she is determined to keep going (she had to give up her career when this got the better of her). The DLA was for things like taxis to the Dr and stuff and for the extra it costs to have the heating all day. Just the extra costs it costs her having this condition so not one of these people that the government seems to think all DLA claimants are just at it for the money. Just a bit of help.

doyouwantfrieswiththat

tooldle wrote: »

Whilst I understand your frustration, it is not appropriate to refer to people as 'idiots'. After all, plenty of experienced GP's sign sick notes for patients, only to later see them exposed in the press for fraud. Best to focus on the criteria, and use evidence from the GP to demonstrate how your father meets the criteria.
Capability varies hugely from person to person. I speak as someone who has a progressive lung disease. I too suffer from fatigue and concentration difficulties (symptom of the illness). I work, holding down a high level job. That said, I have met many others at clinic, with the same disease, who feel defeated by it, and unable to work.
Should we all be deemed capable of work, or all incapable of work on our diagnosis alone?

Yes I understand everyone is different, but the fact that some 'decision maker' claims my dad has no limited capability on ANY of the sections in the assessment is WRONG.

eskimo26

doyouwantfrieswiththat wrote: »

Yes I understand everyone is different, but the fact that some 'decision maker' claims my dad has no limited capability on ANY of the sections in the assessment is WRONG.

Do you know if any evidence was sent in? Notes from gps, specialists, clinics and such, proof of medication and side effects, any kind of supporting evidence?