A "tough, your on your own" thing?

Stevengiles86

So I know I posted about ESA before but a lot of things have unfolded since then.

To summarise I left my job at my own accord at the end of August mainly because I could not take it anymore. It was getting me so low and I knew I would have a breakdown or something if I carried on there. Previously doctors had said I am not depressed even though they know of 2 occasions I was rushed into hospital as I was trying to take my own life... They basically put it down to attention seeking.

Before I could go to dr's again after I left work I had a nasty injury to my arm in September (I may as well admit it here, I did it to myself because of how low I was... I always told them that I did it accidently though). It damaged my flexor tendons, nerve and muscle. Really was a deep wound.

Due to various screw ups by the hospital I mentioned in another thread, it took months for me to realise I was able to claim ESA. I put the claim in at the start of December for it to be backdated from something like the start of September until November (when plaster cast and elevated sling was removed and my arm was recovered). Finally at the end of December my correct notes were sent to my GP by the hospital and I now have an appointment for Monday to get sicknotes off my GP.

Theres several issues, I have that ESA50 form and if im correct in thinking you have to score 15 or more for your claim to not be refused? Even when the injury was at its worst I would not score 15 (the questions are basically about mobility and things even someone bed bound could do) so they are going to turn my claim down? An assessment would be pointless too as my injury is of course now healed.

Second thing. Obviously I know im going through depression and anxiety. I cant even go into a shop and buy something without being increasingly nervous and panicky so I avoid going unless im drunk and feeling more confident or i'm with someone I know well.

I cant sleep due to excess worrys, my mum has to do my washing or my clothes would never be washed and I cant even be bothered to shower often. I wear the same socks/boxers for days or weeks on end due to no motivation.

Even to call the gp surgery to book an appointment for Monday, I had to message someone online who iv never met to phone and book the appointment for me because of my anxiety.

The whole worrys and stress from my arm injury has made my depression worse but I feel stuck in this loop.

I have literally no income, not a penny coming in, no benefits, nothing. Having no money is in fact making my depression worse, as bills are bouncing and I am in severe debt. As a mad moment of desperation I even used my mums card without her permission to gamble and try to win some money for myself but ended up losing £800

Working will lead to having a complete breakdown, I won't cope and would probably end up trying suicide again. I genuinely wish I could work, clearly im no lazy scrounger as I worked my last job for 10 years as soon as I left college.

Not able to claim JSA. As above with knowing I cant work at the moment but also because I left my own job theres still a sanction on me claiming. Anxiety would prevent me from even going to the jobcentre to apply.

ESA/DLA - Based on what I have read up I probably will be denied it?

Then of course theres no other benefits I can apply for. If I'm actually that low as to swing a knife as hard as I can into my arm causing a very deep cut (which i'm sure exposed the bone) which left me with tendon, nerve and muscle damage... I'm really worried if having no money and being in debt continues I will be so depressed that I could even end up taking my own life.

Any advice would be great

Thanks

rogerblack

If you have actively self harmed, to that degree, you may well be entitled.
Have you contacted the doctors about this?
Proof is a problem, if you have not, but explain in detail.
If you have not mentioned this, you need to alter your claim.

Stevengiles86

Thanks, not exactly. When I was taken to hospital with my arm injury I said I slipped when cutting some food. I didnt know if I would get in trouble or even maybe sectioned if I told them the truth. The only proof I have is the person who was here when it happened actually told the doctors that I did it to myself but as they put on my record... I strongly denied it.

There is an appointment with a GP tomorrow where I can tell them. I think previously I was only going in for that backdated claim regarding my arm. I knew I had been depressed and bad before but I thought it would get better, however with all the strain from applying for ESA, dealing with hospitals mistakes and having no money for over 4 months its made me become even more depressed and made me realise it is a problem that is ongoing and something that makes life more difficult for me than my previous arm injury.

Stevengiles86

All was sorted in the end. GP backdated a sicknote for 3 months right up until the end of this month.

Can someone answer a quick related question??

Injury was 10th September
Claim for ESA was put in on 7th Decemeber

Thats obviously fine since it says you can backdate the claim for 3 months before the date you made the claim.

The claim was made without giving a sicknote but it was still processed of course and I was sent a letter about getting £71 a week.

I tried right away after my claim to see GP, but they couldnt book me in the week after the claim (I got up at 8am to phone each day but they had no free appointments). Then it was xmas and new year so they were closed.

My note was sent in covering the entire period (10th sept until 30th of this month) on the 7th Jan.

Will that mean I get money from the 10th Sept until the 7th December as backpaid. Then also get my money from 8th December (day after I put the claim in originally) until now?

So basically will I get the entire amount from 10th sept until my sicknote runs out?

thanks