Unsure is-esa situation

Bamber19

Big_bird wrote: »

I am claiming IS & IB, also DLA middle rate for mobility.

You are either on low rate mobility because you need guidance and/or supervision when walking out of doors or you are on high rate mobility because you are virtually unable to walk, there is no middle rate of mobility.

As far as your question goes, don't worry too much, if after the results of the medical the decision maker deems you not to be eligible for ESA then you can appeal and have your case looked at again by an independent panel. You will have the option to attend this appeal or have it determined on the papers. It is in your best interests to attend but if this is not possible you must ensure that more evidence is sent in on your part, letters from GP and specialists and perhaps detailed statements from yourself about your problems. The other option although it is at the Tribunals Service discretion and not yours would be to have the hearing held at your house, this would require a strong letter from your GP confirming that you would not realistically be able to attend a tribunal.

sunnyone

The goverment changed the rules for ESA last year to be fair to us wheelchair users so needing new hips and/or knees wont get you ESA if the HCA thinks you are capeble of self propelling a manual wheelchair if needing new hips/kness are your only problems.

Many wheelchair users manage to work, even if they are full tiem wheelchair users who cant stand/walk at all are more than capable of work if that is their only disabilty.

As others have stated now one employing you is very, very diffrent than being unable to work due to illness/disability.

I cant do any exercise at all because my body dosnt work apart from very limited neck/None dom. arm movement yet I dont gain weight because I eat never more than 1000 calories per day and I try to average out at 900 per day. I cant afford to gain weight, you cant afford to not lose it and since you're morbidly obese your body needs more calories than someone of avarage weight to remain at a stable weight so even if you ate the normal calories for the sex you are you would lose weight.

You can eat and survive perfectly well on the amount of calories I eat per day, even without exercise so not being able to exercise is not an excuse not to lose weight, if you dont want to lose weight its much better to just say that, its your choice wether you do or not.

krisskross

Big_bird wrote: »

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.

You have had 8 years to lose enough weight to have the surgery that would give you back your mobility and independence. I would have starved for as long as it took if the result was surgery that meant no more pain and full mobility.

TBH giving you disability benefits has done you no kindness. Simply reinforced your thoughts that you are too disabled to work.

You need to concentrate on losing weight so you can have the surgery and worrying about getting a job or not afterwards. You will still be able to claim JSA.

mazza111

Roger I totally agree with you, but food addiction is real, I've seen a close relative with it. Horrible to see them go through it.

I just get down a bit and snack tbh. I wish I like carrots. Any veg or fruit. I can just about force an apple down now and again :rotfl: I think if I liked them, I would have a better success rate :rotfl:

Anyhoo, beside the point...

The OP was asking about ESA, not for us to criticise her for being obese, although I'm pretty sure most of us who have mobility problems could afford to lose a few lbs

ohdearpuzzle

Why all this focus on weight? It's rude.

Anyway, the important thing about ESA medical forms is to fill them in with as much detail as possible and to think about whether you can do the things asked over a sustained period of time - for instance: Can you stand unaided for 5 mins? The answer might be yes, but if you had to do that over and over through out a day and that would be a problem the answer can be no. There are quite a few questions like this, so think about whether you can do the things asked over the length of a day. Good luck.

mynameistallulah

mazza111 wrote: »

Roger I totally agree with you, but food addiction is real, I've seen a close relative with it. Horrible to see them go through it.

I agree that food addiction can be a very real issue, but it affects a small minority, most just need to change eating habits ... and I include myself in the latter!

ohdearpuzzle wrote: »

Why all this focus on weight? It's rude.

No, it is good practical advice as to how the OP can move forward with her life.

mazza111

Tallula, I class myself in the latter too. But the OP was asking for advice on ESA. Not her weight problems, maybe we should focus on that until the OP wants help on her weight problem. Although as I've said before I'm sure a few of us with mobility issues could use losing a few lbs