ESA, ATOS and alcoholism advice

UK7

First of all can I say please don't judge me for my post below - I have worked for 12 years since I left school at 16 (now 31), I want to get better, back to work ASAP and not live on benefits. Thanks.

My brief story: I drink approximately 250 – 300 units of alcohol per week. I get anxious, depressed and unwell without it. I drink from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. I have lost relationships, my house, previous employment (several times) and been made bankrupt through my alcohol addiction. As bizarre as it may sound I can only really function when drinking.

I was signed off from JSA onto ESA for alcohol dependency at the start of November. I filled in my ES50 ages ago and I am well over my 13 weeks ‘assessment phase’ and still receiving the assessment rate (not that the amount matters to me).

Yesterday I received a missed call from a number. I just dialled it back and it was ATOS. I guess this will be a call to arrange my first ATOS medical?
My situation is that my doctor and alcohol community nurse has recommended that I go to an inpatient detoxification at hospital then move into a 3 month residential alcohol and drugs rehabilitation house. To get into this program you have to pass two assessments to test suitability. I have passed the programs first assessment and my doc and nurse thinks I will pass the 2nd assessment and get into the program. Should I pass I should expect an entry date in approx 10 weeks.

I have a few questions if anyone could help me with I would be very grateful:

1. I am guessing with my alcohol problem I will score 0 points?
2. When they write to me or phone me how long does it take for the appointment date to come through?
3. Should I get 0 points and appeal how long does it take for the appeal date to come through?
4. What happens if I get the dates when in hospital?
5. Any other advice?

The reason for this post is that I am worried I will fail the medical. If I do fail I will not be able to attend the rehab program due to financial reasons as I would loose housing benefit and not be able to pay existing bills etc. I would also not progress in getting myself better when I have been given an excellent opportunity to do so.



Thank you for any help,
Aaron.

fogartyblue.

Alcoholism and drud dependency are illnesses, much the same as any other.

If because of them you fit any of the ESA descriptors and that the total value of those descriptors adds up to 15 or more you will be given ESA.

Just because you are an alcoholic, it doesn't mean that it is not a condition that will cause health problems and affect your ability to carry out work based functions.

I was in your position once and through that I have developed much more serious health problems. Are they not worthy of making a claim for ESA or DLA, just because I was addicted to alcohol?

I am now also through alcoholism, and the other health related consequences, addicted to opiates (morphine)which are taken daily to combat pain.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Benefits and Work which is completely independent of the Govt has Guides for Alcoholics.
It is well worth joining. They have a discount at the moment.
Download the Guides and scrutinize.
I have friends who are alcoholics on JSA which saddens me considering their nutritional needs, and to my mind total eligibility for the Support Group.
I would visit CAB (beware their Chief Exec is in with the DWP distorting the fab work the CAB does) and get to know Welfare Rights sights.
Wishing you all the best in your claim and all others like you and my friends in this horrible position.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I would lurk on Benefits Forums as well to see what has happened to get a general idea what to expect good bad and ugly.
urban75 has very lively Forums so it's worth joining as they are very supportive of Benefits Claimants (which might be frowned on here).
Well done for Career History.
I believe people in your position can work as well but like all with disabilities there is a continuum between ability and disability that is subtle and complex that makes black and white thinking unhelpful if not redundant.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Look after yourself mind spirit heart emotions, eat well, five a day, become cheffy, sleep well, get medical help, read read read! take care of vital parts (ahum!) a bit of male pride with a lot of healing love will go a long way away here.
x

perthperson

just to say you can still get housing benefit even if you're not getting any other money - you don't need to get income support or esa or dla or jsa or anything else to qualify - the only criteria is the amount of money you have coming in (and savings) - so no money then you should get the highest amount of hb you are entitled to.

Have you tried asking the alcohol nurse you mentioned about the benefits issue? She may well have experience of these problems with previous patients or may well have people/agencies she can put you in touch with. CAB should also be able to help you.

I would also say the Benefits and Work Guides are really excellent, I used to subscribe in a previous job you might not have the dosh to subscribe though, they're definitely worth it if you can afford it. However, when you're feeling worried like you are at the moment you're probably needing some help to sort things out.

And Urban75 forums are really supportive - you wouldn't need to apologise like you have at the beginning of your post, it's a damn shame people have to apologise like that before they ask a question on here.

As said above people with alcohol problems can qualify for ESA and/or DLA. If you've spent any time looking into them you'll appreciate it's not always easy for people to be awarded them - even those with really 'obvious' problems, if I can put it that way so the more information and help you can get the better.

All the best to you.

Chrissiew

I dont know anything about alcoholism as I dont drink at all, cant understand why people like to wake up feeling like they are gonna die! Anyway I would have thought that as you are do dependant on alcohol and become really ill and anxious with out it, and need to drink from morning till night you would be a danger to others in the work place and Im sure thats a qualifier for ESA.

I really hope you get the help you need as you seem genuinly (sp) determined to sort your life out.

FBaby

Why would you lose your chance to rehab if you fail ATOS? What bill will you have to pay whilst there? I can understand that it would be frightening to loose your residence if it happens, but your one and only priority is to get into that clinic, focus 100% on the rehab so you can get out ready to function independently again. If it means you come out and have to start from scratch again, then so be it.

Please do not give up on this opportunity, the only one you have to beat what is ruining your life because of the possibility of not receiving benefits during that time. If you get better, you can get everything back, if you don't, well even if in receipt of ESA, your life will be miserable battling alcoholism.

harry7075

I'm sorry but if your alcoholism is as bad as you suggest and your urge for a "cure" as intense as you describe an ATOS Medical would be the least of your worries. If you response to the treatment in a positive way surely the next step would be a work placement within the program? Whilst on this you would receive Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefit. I'm sorry but I think this is a knee jerk post regarding the purposed 40p a unit levy on alcohol. 300 units at 40p a unit equals £120 a week.

perthperson

harry7075 wrote: »

I'm sorry but if your alcoholism is as bad as you suggest and your urge for a "cure" as intense as you describe an ATOS Medical would be the least of your worries. If you response to the treatment in a positive way surely the next step would be a work placement within the program? Whilst on this you would receive Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefit. I'm sorry but I think this is a knee jerk post regarding the purposed 40p a unit levy on alcohol. 300 units at 40p a unit equals £120 a week.

The guy's already said he's passed the first stage of getting into rehab, it's nothing to do with the min pricing of alcohol. He's probably had various other tries at getting off drinking, it's not a knee jerk reaction for goodness sake. He posted because he's worried about losing his housing benefit and losing his home. He doesn't need to panic about that, as I've already said he can still get housing benefit even if he's not getting other benefits. Don't be a numpty.

UK7

harry7075 wrote: »

I'm sorry but I think this is a knee jerk post regarding the purposed 40p a unit levy on alcohol. 300 units at 40p a unit equals £120 a week.

Thank you all for the advice. :A

And a further thanks to harry7075 for the above post for putting a smile on my face. :doh: