Unsure is-esa situation

Big_bird_2

I lost my job due to poor health in 2004, was not allowed to claim my pension early as after a medical the Dr said my condition was not terminal. I have osteo-arthritis, need a hip(s) and knee replacement, but am considered clinically obese so they won't operate. Can't exercise owing to being unable to move easily, so condition has only got worse rather than better.
I am claiming IS & IB, also DLA middle rate for mobility, this has been awarded until November 2013. I have now had a letter telling me that I am to be interviewed for ESA, firstly I will have problems getting to an interview, as I am almost housebound, are these done locally? Secondly I am scared that they will say that I can work, my brain clearly does, but physically I couldn't, have heard so many stories, so fear has set in.
My question is, if I am not allowed ESA, but put on JS allowance, will I lose my DLA, and my partners CA as well, or is this judged separately. Wish I hadn't read so many reports. If I lose my current benefits, can I still claim HB & CT benefits, I just am so unsure of what can happen.
I am 57, so am sceptical that anyone would employ me after knowing I have been sick for 8 years and at such an older age.
Advice please would be appreciated.

mazza111

Firstly, don't panic. Remember it's almost always the bad stories that appear on internet.

DLA/ESA are 2 completely different things and aren't linked. You can work and still get DLA.

I think you can request a home visit, but would need your doctor's backing.

But just to try and reassure you. Everything went according to plan with my ESA medical. Was placed in work related activity group as expected. Was dealt with very professionally and courteously. The staff and doctors were very helpful.

I too have OA, they won't consider a knee replacement until I'm older.

Big_bird_2

Thank you Mazza for your kind advice. I must say there are a lot of scare stories around.
Sangio, I know 57 isn't old, but I can't see a prospective employer being happy to take me when my CV will say that I have not worked for 8 years and was sacked for being sick.
Apart from that, how would I even get to work, I can't use public transport, the bus stop is too far to walk, standing is impossible, sitting for long periods unbarable, walking is painful beyond belief, my painkillers advise not to drive, they make me sleepy through the day.
I am able to walk only a few yards without stopping, can't walk un aided. So I can confidently say that no employer would welcome me onto their pay roll.
I worked for BT before, and believe me it was almost impossible to be dismissed from their employment, so that does not go in my favour.
Unless anyone has suffered from OA pain, they cannot believe how debilitating it can be.
So that is why I am concerned about their so called Healthcare Professionals being helpful. What concerns me is that they may make their decision, without any input from my GP who knows my case inside out. Still, I will just have to wait and see. Thank you anyway for your information.

Dunroamin

Whether you would actually be able to get a job is irrelevant to the benefit that you should be claiming.

Big_bird_2

I do realise that, there are many able bodied people who can't find work.

To be honest if I got a job I doubt I would keep it for long so I actually can't even see me bothering to look.

Defeatest I know, but I am in so much pain that I just can't be bothered anymore.

MrsManda

There's a difference between not being able to work at all and it being difficult to get a job.

All you can do is fill out the form with as much detail as possible and make sure your doctor is fully aware of what's happening as the DWP do often write to the GP to ask for a report - you need to make sure that the GP you see is the one which is officially assigned to you by your practice as most practice managers will give the request to your named doctor, not the doctor you named on the form.

I'm another one who had a good experience with the process. I needed an ATOS assessment for my initial claim and was treated well, with the doctor doing his best to make sure he put as much information into the system as possible. Since then I've had 3 paper assessments and have been granted a continuation without another medical.

Have you been getting help to reduce your weight? It's not relevant to your claim but it'd be better for your physical and mental health if you aren't just abandoned without help to improve your condition. Your pain would reduce and you may gain a much better outlook on life.

Ellejmorgan

I've just had a medical have been on ESA for approx 3 years for spinal problems, just had my second medical and for the 2nd time been placed in the WRAG...

I tried to get my GP to ask Atos to help me with travel as I only drive to school and back because it kills my arm due to a prolapsed disk in my neck, I had problems getting ATOS to accept what my doc had written...

I had to pay £100 in a cab as I couldn't have got up there otherwise..
I was honest had to have my legs examined by the ATOS doc as my reflexes in my ankle and foot have gone...Had my neck examined also..

I did have to take my kids with me which the doc didn't like but the appointment was for in the afternoon when I was meant to be getting kids from school, they wouldn't change it..

Just try to get around any issues like I did an you will be fine, I felt being in the WRAG was right for me but then again i'm on income based which isn't time limited..

rogerblack

Big_bird wrote: »

Can't exercise owing to being unable to move easily, so condition has only got worse rather than better.

Diet does not require exercise.
I also cannot do any significant exercise, yet have lost over 25kg a year.

In short - if you want to lose significant weight, for very few people is exercise the sole solution.

For example - eat one Marathon chocolate bar every day.
Do a half marathon every weekend.
You will not lose any weight.
It's lots easier simply to not eat the chocolate.

I strongly recommend some sort of calorie counting website - http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ and a pair of scales.

Good luck.

mazza111

Roger it's easier said than done without the exercise and if you can do it I admire you. What I've found because I'm not able to work, I seem to snack more. I rarely eat chocolate btw. But do feel I eat too much. But going from walking 8 miles a day to being unable to walk very much at all hasn't been very good for my figure. Although not clinically obese, I feel myself getting bigger. I'm on a flush atm, drinking water *puke* and trying to get fuller that way.

I also find myself in a love/hate relationship with food. I get depressed cos I can't get out and about the way I would like to, I was a postie, which is a very social job, now very little social contact, which leads to binge eating etc. Sometimes only a bag of McCoys will do the trick (or a few)

Big bird, maybe the doc could recommend a diet plan for you or something? It's a win win situation, you lose weight, there's less pressure on your joint, you'll feel better about yourself, and might even be able to get out a wee bit more. I'm intending to be able to go swimming a few times a week again. Even if I just put a dress on so it's easier to get dressed afterwards and a pair of flip flops so I don't have problems getting dressed afterwards.

rogerblack

mazza111 wrote: »

Roger it's easier said than done without the exercise and if you can do it I admire you. What I've found because I'm not able to work, I seem to snack more. I rarely eat chocolate btw. But do feel I eat too much. But going from walking 8 miles a day to being unable to walk very much at all hasn't been very good for my figure.

Snacking is evil.
If you go from doing something actively for long periods - you both have problems with the lowered activity burning less - and more importantly perhaps - having time to think about food.

Food is easy, and a simple pleasure that you can still do.

Of course...

I note that when I was seriously losing weight - 10% of my calories were coming from chocolate.

I personally found that the key in my case was to drastically reduce portion sizes, and slow down eating them a bit.
Going from a full big bowl of muesli to a small bowl, for example.

And stop doing what you're doing!

While you can spend less on food with a diet - this may not be the best plan.

Go through the entire supermarket, trying to find stuff that you don't normally buy, that you like, or are willing to try, that is lower calorie than your normal snacks.

For example.
I used to eat lots of crisps.
I've now swapped onto carrots for times I just want to chew on something, and eat crisps (in smaller portions) occasionally.

Or just have a normal snack - but cut it in half.

edit:
Diet food is a lie.
Be careful of food sold as diet food, and think about it.

Yes, diet food can be useful - but if you don't really like it, it can be both cheaper and nicer if you simply eat less of the foods you normally would.

Foods naturally low in calories - apples, carrots, fish, chicken fillet... are generally (IMO) a better way to go.

dave030445

rogerblack wrote: »

Diet does not require exercise.
I also cannot do any significant exercise, yet have lost over 25kg a year.

In short - if you want to lose significant weight, for very few people is exercise the sole solution.

For example - eat one Marathon chocolate bar every day.
Do a half marathon every weekend.
You will not lose any weight.
It's lots easier simply to not eat the chocolate.

I strongly recommend some sort of calorie counting website - http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ and a pair of scales.

Good luck.

Marathon god how old are you lol:rotfl: