Incapacity to ESA, General advice on my situation...

misslj_2

Hi,
It's my first post about this, So please be gentle....

Im currently on DLA and Incapacity Benefit as I suffer from uncontrolled seizures and blackouts, They can happen anywhere at any time with no warning, Have done for the past 7 years, I couldnt hold a regular job down so faced the decision to go onto the above benefits along with my partner whom is my carer. (Claiming Carers Allowance)

Ive had a letter to say I will now be going onto ESA so have been looking around at what Im likely to go through in the next few weeks/months.. Im really worried that they will find me fit for work and I know from previous experience the stigma I had to go through when I went back in after having a seizure or blackout... I have to have my partner (or family member with me at all times as the seizures make it too hard to literally get up, sometimes taking my memory (7 years worth) and speech...)

Is it likely I will be found fit for work as the seizures/blackouts are uncontrolled?
Is it likely I will attend a face-to-face interview?

My disability has in the past caused such negativity onto me that I have had depression - although I try not to go down that route anymore and think of the positives in my life as to not dwell on it - It could be worse hey!!
Thanks for any guidance and advice in advance...

mikey_bach

if you and your partner are a couple, sounds odd
by this I mean you live in the same household,
and he is already in receipt of carers allowance then he could claim I.S for you

Do you claim I.S at the moment as a top up?

rogerblack

How frequent are the seizures?
If they happen more than once a week, you would be entitled to ESA on the work-related group on that basis alone.
Is your partner in work?
Do the seizures cause incontinence?
Frequent severe loss of continence may qualify you for the support group.
Similarly - the 'coping socially' - if it affects you severely enough, it may qualify.

[Deleted User]

uncontrolled seizures that happen with NO warning should/will give you the 15 points you need for esa if they happen at least once a week
you may or may not have to go for a "medical"

Anubis_2

You don't need to go the ESA route as your partner can claim IS on the grounds of being a carer as Micky says.

However if you have had the form for ESA I suggest if you want your partner to claim IS instead of you going on ESA, you see someone at welfare rights.

There are a couple of disadvantages of the IS route, one is that if you at any time loose MRC, your partner will loose CA and you will heed to go ESA route.

If you ever want to do permitted work, currently with IS, anything earned over £20 is deducted £ for £ - with ESA you can keep all your PW earnings.