ESA and Schizophrenia

gemma1979

How does ESA work for those with Schizophrenia/Bipolar?

Torry_Quine

The same way as it works for any other condition. Its given for being unable to work, the actual medical problem makes no real difference to that.

Muttleythefrog

To save me writing lots.. as above... the criteria is the same for everyone... the benefit is awarded based on effects of illness, injury or disability. For new claims there is an approx 3 months assessment phase during which qualification is acquired by 'sicknotes'.

There is an excellent document that is written with mental health in mind... it should have pretty much everything you need to know including information on filling in the ESA50 form you'll almost certainly be asked to complete in due course.

If after reading it you have any further questions return here

http://www.rethink.org/document.rm?id=10911

sparkycat2

Schizophrenia is on the list of must seek expert medical advice before deciding if should be called in for a face to face assessment. Bipolar is not. At least for DLA I think ESA is suppose to use the same list.

If someone is reasonably well most of the time, would not score enough points on the descriptors, but if found capable of work related activity would be likely to become seriously ill and when serious ill are know to become a significant (which appear to be taken to mean life threatening) danger to themselves or others. I would hope the following criteria applies.

Support Group Special Criteria - Special Circumstance
3. "A claimant who does not have limited activity for work related activity as determined in accordance with regulation 34 (1)" (Support Group Descriptors) "is to be treated as having limited capability for work related activity if -
(a) The claimant "suffers from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement and;
(b) by reasons of such disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if he were found not to have limited capability for work-related activity";

I would hope where there is ample evidence that such a significant risk is likely that the person would be put in support group based on medical evidence with no need for face to face assessment, appeals, tribunals, etc... But with ESA is that the case?

System

Not sure if it helps but i have bipolar and was put in the support group as per the conditions above. though i did have to have face to face assesments each time.

gemma1979

What is the support group?

Torry_Quine

gemma1979 wrote: »

What is the support group?

The support group is the one where you don't have to go to work focused interviews which 'help' give you the support to be able to return to work.

HB58

gemma1979 wrote: »

What is the support group?

There are 2 groups forpeople found unfit to work and granted ESA.

One is the Work Related Activity Group. People in this group must undertake Work Focussed Activities with a personal advisor from the JobCentre+. They cannot, at the moment, be obliged to look for or undertake work. This group is time-limited to 365 days for those on contributary benefit, after this the claimant will be assessed to see if they qualify for income-related ESA. Claimants who have had 365 days and are not entitled to income-related benefit will have their NI contributions paid for as long as the claim remains 'live' but will not get any more money unless they later qualify for the Support Group.

The other is the Support Group. People in this group have more limitations than those in WRAG and do not have to undertake WFIs (although they can if they wish). The weekly payment is a little more than for those in the WRAG. Time in this group is not limited even for those on contributary benefit.

People in both groups should expect to be reassessed anywhere between 3 months and 3 years (even if they are not getting any money).