Help me please :(

Eiji

Hi,

I need help in claiming ESA. I'm male, 26yo. I worked for a short time 8 years ago while I was on JSA for a short period of time but due to my health issues back then I stopped working. I have IBS-C / Depression / Anxiety / OCD but I didn't know what they were back then apart from IBS as my doctor diagnosed it.

My parents have been very supportive but they don't have anywhere near as much money as they did back then and we are struggling.

I'm currently not taking any medication but 2 years ago I did mention how I feel to my doc and she ran some tests and my thyroid was said to be underactive but in 2 re-tests the results were that my thyroid was fine despite the fact that I felt the same way i.e low energy, brain fog, confusion, dizziness, heart palps, migraine-like headaches, bi-lateral tinnitus, TMJ, insomnia etc.

I didn't go back to the doc as it seemed like a dead end and I have always felt embarassed to claim benefits, especially after claiming JSA all those years ago but I don't know what else to do.

I find it really difficult leaving the house now, my condition seems to be getting worse. Whenever I'm anxious, I have a strong urge to empty my bowel and bladder and I can't go anywhere outside alone.

Please can someone tell me what needs to be done and in what order.

Thanks for reading.

Torry_Quine

You definitely need to go to the doctor as if you want to claim ESA you will need to send in fit notes. Also they can contact your GP to see how your health is affecting you.

More importantly you need to see the GP to get help with your problems.

benefitbaby

Torry_Quine wrote: »

You definitely need to go to the doctor as if you want to claim ESA you will need to send in fit notes. Also they can contact your GP to see how your health is affecting you.

More importantly you need to see the GP to get help with your problems.

I agree, you need to ask your GP for a referral to the communtiy mental health team. In relation to benefits you could consider BOTH ESA and DLA and I urge you to seek help with the se claims from Mind or CAB/similar, they can visit you at home as going out is so difficult.

Eiji

But I'm worried they will say to me "how do you know you can't work if you haven't worked in 8 years?"

I also missed out in my OP that I get panic attacks too.

Torry_Quine

Eiji wrote: »

But I'm worried they will say to me "how do you know you can't work if you haven't worked in 8 years?"

I also missed out in my OP that I get panic attacks too.

The thing is that they aren't going to give benefits without any checks so you really need to see the GP. Phone tomorrow please.

gingergee

Try to keep calm, stress wont help any of them conditions x You will get excellent advice here on what to do. Chill out and write down what people say. Am sure in the morning you will have enough info to ring them and sort out claims (look out for a muttleythefrog, he knows ESA back to front and will help lots). GG xx

benefitbaby

Eiji wrote: »

But I'm worried they will say to me "how do you know you can't work if you haven't worked in 8 years?"

I also missed out in my OP that I get panic attacks too.

You know you best, and you know how panicked you are just getting out of the house, or interracting with people, if this is how you are most of the time (when your not in work) it is clear you would feel like this if you were in a workplace.

Besides the criteria they consider (the ESA descriptors) ask how you are coping now - you can search the internet for these so you can have a look in advance.

Muttleythefrog

Yeah.. as above.. ESA is something you should look to claiming... and possibly DLA too which is not means tested.

I understand the getting nowhere iwith medical professionals but I do think it'll be important you at least build a relationship with your GP who can signpost/refer you to MH services and also act as a factual contact regarding benefit claims. Unfortunately the sickness/disability benefit system is quite geared up to the (in my opinion totally flawed) assumption people will engage health services when sick or disabled. Having exhausted MH services myself there actually is only one reason I remain in contact with MH services and GP and that is for benefits reasons.

Regarding ESA.. sicknotes (now called fit notes) will be required during the first 3 or so months of claiming... it acts as your qualification for the benefit... at around the end of this period you'll get a work capability assessment (that could include a medical) but do not be misled by the name... as above this assessment looks at functional restrictions in various areas common to jobs... the assessment doesn't as such assess whether you can work... but rather do you have significant limitations in ability to work or do work related activities. For both DLA and ESA it is important to note they are awarded based on the day to day effects of illness or disability rather than for the conditions themselves (except in exceptional circumstances).

So I think first stop GP.. update them about situation and ask if they can provide a fit note as you want to claim ESA. If you get it then apply for ESA http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172014 and if you don't get any joy consider changing GP. Try to find out what services with your GPs help that may be suitable for treatment and try to remove any embarassment from your mind... this is about getting you the help and support you need and are entitled to.

Horseunderwater

Please do ring your GP as a start point later on today and make an appointment to go and see him/her. Can one of your parents come with you to help you cope with the panicking anxiety etc? Could you change Dr's within the surgery if you had issues with previous one? I know from experience that some GP's did not ought to be seeing people. Although I do not have MH problems my OH does so I have some experience of living with someone who has and has had to fight real hard for it. He just manages to go out to work FT, but has to be on med's in order to cope. Myself I had to see a GP who does the driving medicals when I was 45 and his attitude at the time was - I will lock you up in a room and restrict your diet to 500 cals per day. I can get you slim - you obviously overeat. Yes I am Over weight, but it was IBS that caused it. Supposed to be a condition that does not exist! Try telling that to people that fear leaving their comfort zone and fear having an accident. So I know that bit as well. I now get DLA/ESA for that alone as well as Mobility problems. So as Muttley says chill out and make a list of the things you posted on here and what we have said. If you have trouble saying stuff out loud, give the list to your GP to read.

Eiji

Thanks for the wealth of information everyone. I still feel extremely nervous. I will try to make an appointment tommorow. I've seen 2 doctors in my GPs surgery, one that I've seen since childhood and he is the owner of the surgery and seems strict and the other a lady GP who I saw 2 years ago because the owner GP was away. She seemed to have a much more relaxed atmosphere about her. I've seen her 3-4 total. Does she have as much power to give a fit note as the owner GP?

Also, is it usually the doctor that says you should claim ESA after listening to your symtoms or do more patients actually ask the doctor for a fit note because they want to claim benefits?

Sorry for such stupid questions

benefitbaby

Eiji wrote: »

Thanks for the wealth of information everyone. I still feel extremely nervous. I will try to make an appointment tommorow. I've seen 2 doctors in my GPs surgery, one that I've seen since childhood and he is the owner of the surgery and seems strict and the other a lady GP who I saw 2 years ago because the owner GP was away. She seemed to have a much more relaxed atmosphere about her. I've seen her 3-4 total. Does she have as much power to give a fit note as the owner GP?

Also, is it usually the doctor that says you should claim ESA after listening to your symtoms or do more patients actually ask the doctor for a fit note because they want to claim benefits?

Sorry for such stupid questions

There are no stupid questions.

Any GP can issue a medical certificate (so you can make an appointment with the nicer one) and many people approach GPs to specifically make their ESA claim.